Signal Life expectancy fell most in the most deprived areas 2018 to 2020

Summary

The report cites life expectancy data to show how economic gaps and health inequalities interlock, so that vulnerabilities pile up. Between 2018 and 2020, the fall in life expectancy was largest among people living in the most deprived areas. In the same context it records that 33% of smokers in England in 2021 came from the two most deprived deciles, up from 30% in 2017. The report adds that the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis affected everyone, yet vulnerable people, including those in deprived areas, bore the heaviest health and financial impacts. This supports the report's view that health risks during crises are greater in poorer places.