Residents in the healthiest areas of England attribute their longevity to activities like reading, walking, and cycling, along with access to amenities such as leisure centers, libraries, and good healthcare. Conversely, in Blackpool, the town with the lowest life expectancy, residents cite drug abuse, affordable alcohol, fast food, and poor housing as significant contributing factors to their shorter lifespans.
A recent analysis by The King's Fund highlights a stark contrast in life expectancy across England. Men in Blackpool die, on average, 10 years earlier than those in the healthiest areas. The study found the lowest life expectancy in the Lancashire seaside resort, with men averaging 73.7 years and women 79.1 years. This pattern of lower life expectancy is also observed across former industrial and urban areas in northern England, although life expectancy is higher in rural and more affluent northern regions.
In contrast, the Hart district in Hampshire, a prosperous area in the south, boasts an average life expectancy of 83.7 years for men and 86.2 years for women. Similar high life expectancies are found in areas like Kensington and Chelsea in London, where women can expect to live to an average of 87.1 years, and in the rural Uttlesford district of Essex, with an average of 86.4 years for women.
Residents in Hart, which has been recognized in quality of life surveys, point to ample active spaces, golf clubs, leisure centers, and excellent healthcare. "When we moved to Fleet, we really noticed the difference," said Adrian Mann, 79, who relocated to the Hart area from London. "There are always people in their 80s walking around the town centre. The cemetery is also full of people who have lived well into their 90s - a good age. I think this is down to the clean air. There are also lots of walks, parks and also the pond. There are quite a lot of churches, the library as well - it has the facilities for older people."
His partner added, "The medical care is good and there are a lot of organisations for older people which get them out of their houses." Retired solicitor Robert Cook, 79, and his wife Linda, 84, who have lived in Fleet for 35 years, emphasized the importance of staying active and choosing healthy food options. "To stay healthy, we try to go out most days; we don't stay at home watching the telly all day," Mr. Cook stated. Mrs. Cook further praised the local healthcare, noting, "The healthcare in the area is excellent. There are a few practices in Fleet and you can get an appointment often on the same day or the following day."
Charlotte Dando, 44, who moved to Hart with her mother, highlighted the availability of parks, cycle paths, and a general encouragement for outdoor activities. "There's lot going on - all the parks, there are also really good cycle paths. You can cycle down the canal. My husband cycles to work. There are just a lot of outdoorsy things on your doorstep," she said. Dando believes diet and exercise, particularly walking, are crucial for health, and she also commended the availability of health food shops.
In contrast, Blackpool faces significant social challenges. Residents described seeing drug addicts using heroin in public, homeless individuals passed out, and a shortage of NHS dentists. One father of four, Andrew Abernethy, 45, revealed he resorted to pulling out four of his own teeth due to the inability to access dental care, stating, "There's a lot of problems in Blackpool - I blame the government for a lot of it."
Tegan Milner, 23, an expectant mother, expressed concerns about safety, noting frequent public intoxication and drug use, and instances of stabbings. "I don't feel safe going out at night. I just go out in the day," she said. Plasterer Jamie Hornby, 54, attributed the low life expectancy to drug use, public intoxication, and the prevalence of cheap fast food. Pensioner Colin Stead, 65, pointed to widespread poverty, making healthy food unaffordable for many.
Meanwhile, in Kensington, London, residents emphasized personal responsibility, healthy diets, and mental well-being. Chrissie Fraser, 77, advocated for reading, maintaining a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol consumption. "Probably the secret for everybody is if they go and read a few more books," she suggested. "(For) every individual person, it's nothing to do with access, it's to do with what's going on in your head."
Francis Ley, 79, recommended organic foods, while acknowledging the increased cost. Matthew Martin, 62, who has experienced homelessness, stated that a healthy diet is possible even with limited funds, citing eggs, pasta, and tomatoes as affordable options. Paul Edwards, 53, from Maidstone, highlighted his own focus on health supplements, gym attendance, and avoiding unhealthy fats, while also noting the perceived differences in housing standards and healthy lifestyle awareness between the southeast and northern communities.
The King's Fund report underscored that while life expectancy in England has reached record highs, these gains are not evenly distributed. Geographical inequalities are seen as a reflection of socioeconomic disparities and higher deprivation levels in northern regions, which the report labels a "mark of shame" for an affluent country. People in the most deprived areas have seen little or no improvement in longevity over the past decade, a trend that has widened since 2010. Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow at The King's Fund, stated that addressing this inequity is a matter of social justice and would also reduce pressure on the NHS and the economic costs associated with ill health.