The King’s Fund response to Public Health England's review of life expectancy

Commenting on Public Health England’s (PHE) review of recent trends in mortality in England, Dr Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, said:

'Improvements in life expectancy are slowing across the developed world, but the United Kingdom has seen the most significant slowdown of any country apart from the United States. 

'Public Health England's report is a welcome, if somewhat overdue, start to understanding why life expectancy is stalling in England. It paints a complex picture but confirms that a slowdown in improvements in mortality from heart disease and an increase in winter deaths from flu and other respiratory diseases are significant factors.

'It is particularly worrying that life expectancy is falling in more deprived parts of the country, further widening health inequalities between rich and poor areas. It is also very troubling that deaths from causes such as suicide and drug overdoses are rising among young adults.

'After several years of debate, we now have some clear pointers about what is causing life expectancy in England to stall. While further research must continue at pace, action to reverse these worrying trends is urgently needed to avoid the United Kingdom sliding further down international league tables.'