Blackpool men set to have 'shortest healthy lives' in UK

Men in Blackpool can now expect the shortest spell of good health anywhere in Britain, stark new figures suggest, with experts warning that where people live is increasingly determining how long they stay well.

New estimates from the Office for National Statistics show boys born in Blackpool between 2022 and 2024 are likely to enjoy just 50.9 years of good general health, the lowest healthy life expectancy for males in the country.

Healthy life expectancy in the UK. (Image: PA Wire)

This is more than 18 years fewer than boys in Richmond upon Thames in London, who are expected to have 69.3 healthy years, and down from 53.3 years in Blackpool in 2019–21.

Girls in the resort are also near the bottom of the national table. A girl born in Blackpool in 2022–24 can expect 51.8 years of good health, the fourth‑lowest figure in the UK and a fall from 54.0 years a few years earlier.

Only Hartlepool, Sandwell and Merthyr Tydfil score worse for females.

The ONS said there remains a “clear geographical divide” between the healthiest and least healthy areas, with the gaps widening over the last decade.

In 2012–14 the difference between the best and worst areas in England was 14.5 years for men and 14.8 years for women; by 2022–24, this had grown to 18.4 years and 19.1 years respectively.

Blackburn with Darwen records some of the lowest scores in the county.

Across Lancashire (the rest of the county except Blackburn with Darwen), people fare slightly better than those in Blackpool – but still worse than the England average.

Women in Lancashire can expect 60.3 healthy years, down from 62.8 in 2019–21, while men are on 59.3 years, down from 62.1.

Both figures sit below the England averages of 61.3 years for females and 60.9 for males.

Blackburn with Darwen also records some of the lowest scores in the county. Healthy life expectancy for women is 54.4 years, compared with 58.1 years a few years ago, while for men it stands at 54 years, down from 57.4.

That leaves both sexes in the borough with around seven fewer healthy years than the England average.

Nationally, the ONS said the proportion of life spent in good health is shrinking for both sexes.

Girls born in the UK in 2022–24 are expected to see 60.9 years of good health, down from 63.4 in 2019–21 and 63.7 a decade ago, while boys are on 60.7 years, down from 62.4 and 62.9 over the same periods.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Blackpool in 2019 to see the state of housing in the town, including a visit to a dilapidated property

Greg Ceely, head of population life events at the ONS, said: “Today’s figures show that, while people in the UK are living longer than at the height of the pandemic, the proportion of their lives spent in good health is still getting smaller.

"Back in 2011, when the ONS first collected this data, men were expected to remain in good health until around the age of 63, and women 64.

"Today, they could both expect around 61 years of healthy life.”

Dr Jamie O’Halloran, senior research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said the new figures underline how deeply health outcomes are tied to place.

“Today’s figures show that where you live determines how many years you spend in good health – and that gap isn’t closing,” he said.

“Reforming the NHS and bringing care closer to communities can help reduce health inequalities, but most of what shapes our physical and mental health lies outside the health system.

"Without tackling those root causes, we won’t see the gains we need.”

5 Top and Bottom areas for healthy life expectancy

Men – top five

1. Orkney Islands – 72.9 years (70.8 for those born between 2019-21)
2. Richmond upon Thames – 69.3 years (68.7)
3. Shetland Islands – 68.3 years (62.6)
4. Sutton – 68.3 years (65.2)
5. Wokingham – 68.0 years (70.9)

Men – bottom five

1. Blackpool – 50.9 years (53.3)
2. Merthyr Tydfil – 51.7 years (56.9)
3. Hartlepool – 52.1 years (55.0)
4. Sandwell – 52.7 years (59.3)
5. North Lanarkshire – 52.9 years (55.5)

Women – top five

1. Orkney Islands – 74.1 years (up from 73.4)
2. Shetland Islands – 70.8 years (62.8)
3. Richmond upon Thames – 70.3 years (69.7)
4. Wokingham – 69.4 years (72.6)
5. Windsor & Maidenhead – 68.9 years (70.9)

Women – bottom five

1. Merthyr Tydfil – 50.1 years (56.8)
2. Hartlepool – 51.2 years (56.2)
3. Sandwell – 51.3 years (60.1)
4. Blackpool – 51.8 years (54.0)
5. North Lanarkshire – 52.3 years (55.8)