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England: 50% of Disabled Adults Die Before 65
13 Jul
Summary
- Over half of adults with learning disabilities in England die before 65.
- They die on average 19 years younger than the general population.
- Avoidable deaths due to treatable conditions remain nearly double.
- Specialist nurses working with learning disabilities have fallen by 44%.
A recent annual report indicates that more than half of adults with learning disabilities in England pass away before reaching the age of 65. This figure is significantly higher than the 15% seen in the general population. The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) found that individuals with learning disabilities are dying, on average, 19 years younger.
While the proportion of avoidable deaths from treatable conditions has declined from 46% to 39% between 2021 and 2024, it remains almost double that of the general adult population. Health minister Preet Kaur Gill described the statistics as "unacceptable" and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving care through early intervention and better identification on GP registers.
Concerns have also been raised about a decline in specialist nurses, with numbers falling by 44% over a decade. Charities and advocacy groups emphasize the critical need for continued scrutiny and action to address these preventable deaths and value the lives of people with learning disabilities. The government has confirmed future data will be integrated with other health outcomes for autistic people and those with ADHD.
