Britain has endured a decade of early deaths. Why?

Britain has endured a decade of early deaths, with perhaps a quarter of a million people dying younger than expected. Deprivation plays a role in health, with poorer Britons 20% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage.

March 9, 2023 . 3:37 PM

1 min read

Britain has endured a decade of early deaths, with perhaps a quarter of a million people dying younger than expected.
Life expectancy at birth today is just 8 weeks longer than it was in 2011, implying that between 2012 and 2022 approximately 700,000 Britons died sooner than they might have.
Deaths have been spread across generations, but disproportionately affected the poor.
Deprivation plays a role in health, with poorer Britons 20% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage.
The government should reweight funding formulas to benefit general practitioners in the poorest areas.