Children born in the past two years are expected to have fewer years of good health, but with the recent pandemic, those numbers could well change. PA
Children born in the past two years are expected to have fewer years of good health, but with the recent pandemic, those numbers could well change. PA
Children born in the past two years are expected to have fewer years of good health, but with the recent pandemic, those numbers could well change. PA
Children born in the past two years are expected to have fewer years of good health, but with the recent pandemic, those numbers could well change. PA

Healthy life expectancy declines for babies born in England


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

Babies born in England between 2020 and 2022 could experience fewer number of years in good health, figures suggest.

Between 2017-2019, men could expect to be healthy for 63.3 years and women 63.7, with latest figures showing a drop to 62.4 years and 62.7 respectively.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the healthy life expectancy of a boy born in 2020-22 is 9.3 months lower than it was in 2011-13 when the current estimates began.

Girls have seen an even bigger fall since 2011-13, of 14 months.

“Because minimal change was seen up to 2017 to 2019, it is likely the coronavirus pandemic contributed to the decrease,” the office said.

Figures published in January for overall life expectancy showed a similar picture, with a boy born in the UK between 2020 and 2022 expected to live until they were 78.6 years old, down from 79.3 years in 2017-19, while a girl born in 2020-22 was expected to live for 82.6 years, down from 83.0 years.

The pandemic led to increased mortality in 2020 and 2021, which affected the estimates of a newborn baby’s total life expectancy, as well as the number of years they are likely to enjoy good health.

But this does not mean a baby born in this period will necessarily have a shorter life, or spend less time in good health.

This is because life expectancy estimates would go back up if mortality rates improve through the years, the office said.

The new figures published on Tuesday also show a drop in healthy life expectancy for babies in Wales, with girls born in 2020-22 likely to enjoy 60.3 years of good health, down from 62.3 years in 2017-19, while boys have a smaller reduction, from 61.3 to 61.1.

In Northern Ireland the estimates for girls have decreased from 62.2 years in 2017-19 to 61.5 in 2020-22, while forecasts for boys have risen slightly from 61.3 years to 61.6.

There are sharp regional variations in healthy life expectancy, with the figures for boys born in 2020-22 ranging from 64.6 years in south-east England to 57.6 in north-east England.

This is up from a gap of just under six years between the same two regions in 2017-19.

For girls, the estimates for 2020-22 range from a high of 64.7 years for babies born in the south-east to a low of 59.0 years for the north-east – a difference of just over five-and-a-half years, compared with nearly seven years in 2017-19.

Dr Aideen Young, of the campaign group Centre for Ageing Better, said the figures showed there is a “shameful gulf in the experiences of growing older in this country, depending on where you live”.

“For older people desperately struggling to make ends meet in later life, their experience and their outcomes in later life are a world away from their wealthier peers," Dr Young said.

“Of course the Covid-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the general health of our country and its population. But it doesn’t account for all the negative trends we are seeing here.

“Without drastic action, we will continue to have two ageing populations in this country living parallel and incomparable lives.

“We need a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing for England to give voice to the many older people who are currently marginalised and ignored, and ensure that the issues that affect them are considered in policy-making across government.”

A Department for Health and Social Care representative said: “We are committed to increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035, and narrowing the gap between areas where it is highest and lowest by 2030.

“Our ambitious plans for a smoke-free generation will make a significant difference, as people in more deprived areas are almost twice as likely to die from smoking-related conditions.

“In addition to this, our Major Conditions Strategy will explore how we can tackle the key drivers of ill health in England to improve health and life expectancy across the country.”

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

The biog

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sugary teas and iced coffees

The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.

For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

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Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: April 08, 2024, 8:48 AM`