Babies born in rich areas like London live 12 years longer than in Glasgow, new study reveals – with those living in Hampstead reaching the age of 88
- Fifteen of 20 areas with highest life expectancies are in London and southeast
- Meanwhile, 17 of 20 with the lowest life expectancies are found in Scotland
- Staggering regional disparities found were described as ‘entirely preventable’
A staggering new report has found that babies who are born in the wealthiest parts of the UK are likely to live 12 years longer than those in Glasgow.
Children in north London‘s exclusive Hampstead can expect to live until the ripe age of 88, while those born in Glasgow have a significantly lower life expectancy of 76.
Campaign group Health Equals analysed the findings from the ONS to work out the life expectancy of all babies born this year in the 650 parliamentary constituencies scattered across the country.
The Times reports that there were ‘startling’ disparities found between regions, with experts warning millions of lives were being cut short by ‘over a decade’ by poor housing, poor education and poverty.
There was a shockingly stark contrast between London and the south versus Scotland.
Children in north London’s exclusive Hampstead (pictured) can expect to live until the ripe age of 88
Babies born in Glasgow are likely to live 12 years less than those in London’s wealthiest regions
In fact, 15 of the 20 constituencies with the highest life expectancies are in London and the southeast, while 17 of the 20 with the lowest life expectancies are in Scotland.
Glasgow’s seven constituencies filled the seven worst spots for babies to be born.
In England, again the south is where babies are likely to live longer, with most deprived areas found in the north – highlighting the need of the levelling-up agenda to improve health.
The report found that the regional disparities were ‘entirely preventable’ and getting worse.
Blackpool South has the lowest life expectancy in England at 78, followed by 79 in Bradford West.
The gap between the UK’s richest and poorest areas has increased by two years over the past two decades.
Health Equals, a group of 29 organisations led by the Health Foundation think tank, is urging the Government to implement new strategies in a bid to reverse these health inequalities.
The coalition of organisations is adamant that a babies place of birth can be detrimental to its future health – more so than ‘individual behaviours and genetics’.
Health Equals, whose campaign is backed by the likes of the British Red Cross, want Government officials to prioritise green spaces, transport links and adequate housing.
Carrie Hume, the 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.’
Meanwhile, John Godfrey, director of levelling up at financial services provider Legal & General, said that people are spending more time in poor health despite the UK being one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
He added: ‘It’s harming society, our economy and leading to lives needlessly cut short across the UK.’
Blackpool South has the lowest life expectancy in England at 78 followed by 79 in Bradford West
