New coalition calls for improved action to stop millions of lives being needlessly cut short

A new coalition of 29 charities, businesses and sector bodies have come together as Health Equals, calling on politicians to take immediate action to create more equal opportunities for good health and wellbeing.

The group are launching with the #LivesCutShort campaign, drawing attention to regional disparities in life expectancy. For example, in 2023 a baby born in Glasgow will – on average – live to age 76, whereas a baby born in Hampstead, London, will live to 86. 

Health Equals have launched a new life expectancy look-up tool to highlight how the opportunities for good health and wellbeing vary significantly from place to place.

Data show that 10 of the 20 UK parliamentary constituencies with the lowest life expectancy are in Scotland, while, 18 of the top 20 life expectancies are in London and the South East. Significant life expectancy gaps are also prevalent within cities. In Milton Keynes, there is a six year gap between the highest and lowest areas for life expectancy within the city.

Members of Health Equals include the Children’s Society, Health Foundation, Legal & General, Mind, The CBI, Crisis and Lloyds Bank Foundation.

Carrie Hume, Head of Health Equals said: ‘Our members are diverse but carry the same message. The size of the UK’s life expectancy gap is entirely preventable, but not enough attention is paid to how our health is shaped by our interactions with the world around us. We’re calling on politicians to take action, doing more to understand what shapes our health, and creating plans to improve our opportunities for good health.’

John Godfrey, Director of Levelling Up, Legal & General said: ‘Life expectancy has stalled for the first time in 100 years — while for some areas of the UK, life expectancy is reversing. The UK is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet people are spending more time in poor health. It’s harming society, our economy and leading to lives needlessly cut short across the UK.’