Home / Health / Men's Health Crisis: Life Expectancy Gap Widens
Men's Health Crisis: Life Expectancy Gap Widens
7 Dec
Summary
- Men in deprived areas die 10 years earlier than those in wealthy areas.
- North East men have an average life expectancy of 77 years.
- More men in the North East die from cancer than women annually.
Men's health has been a long-neglected issue, with current statistics revealing a critical disparity in life expectancy. Government data indicates that men in the most deprived regions face an average lifespan that is ten years shorter than those in affluent areas. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly acknowledged this crisis, stating that men's health issues have been ignored for too long.
Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight the severity of the situation in the North East. Between 2021 and 2023, the average life expectancy for men in this region stood at 77 years, contrasting sharply with the 81 years for women. This indicates a significant gap in longevity within the same geographical area.
Further contributing to the grim outlook, ONS data from the past year shows that cancer mortality rates are higher among men in the North East, with 4,193 recorded deaths compared to 3,767 among women. Additionally, the region faces a public health challenge with 67% of men being overweight or obese, a figure higher than the 61% recorded for women, indicating broader health concerns.
