‘Watershed moment’ according to the Health Foundation as Healthy Life Expectancy at its lowest in Scotland since records began

The Health Foundation has published an analysis revealing an average decline in Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) in Scotland of three years over the past decade, dropping below 60 years for the first time since records began to 59.1 years for men and 59.4 years for women.

New data from the Office for National Statistics shows that those living in Glasgow on average, can expect to live just 55.9 years in good health. This is well below the state pension age, and the national average.

HLE is the average number of years a person would expect to live in good health based on current mortality rates and levels of self-reported good health, and is a key measure of the nation’s health.

The Health Foundation is calling for a new approach to turn the tide on Scotland’s declining health.

David Finch, Assistant Director, the Health Foundation, said: “The deterioration in Scotland’s health should be a watershed moment that acts as a wake up call to government and policy makers to tackle the nation’s ill health.

“Males and females living in Glasgow can expect to live as little as just 55.7 and 56.1 years respectively in good health.

“Scottish males have the worst healthy life expectancy across the whole of the United Kingdom, and of the 21 high income nations, only the USA has a worse healthy life expectancy than the UK. This is an issue that needs urgent attention."

In the last decade healthy life expectancy has fallen in all but one local authority area for females, and across 28 local authorities for males.

David Finch added: “Scotland’s failing health has repercussions for all of us, with most people now expected to spend a significant period of time in poor health before reaching state pension age.

“Not only does this carry a substantial human cost, but a growing economic and

fiscal impact which reduces workforce participation and increases reliance on social security and benefits.”

“Improving health must be a priority for the next Scottish Government."

Healthy Life Expectancy estimates the average number of years a person would expect to live in good health if current age-specific mortality rates and levels of self-reported good health remained constant throughout their life.

It uses two metrics: age-specific mortality rates and self-reported health. By including both length and quality of life, healthy life expectancy provides a more comprehensive picture of the nation’s health than life expectancy alone (only based on mortality rates).

The Health Foundation are an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK.