New studies indicate that life expectancy improvement is slowing down throughout Europe; England is seeing the most notable drop. Experts attribute this worrying trend to a combination of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and rising obesity levels. The drop in life expectancy is starting to cause serious issues that demand quick response.
How Much Has Life Expectancy Declined?
A study looking at life expectancy changes in 20 European nations between 1990 and 2021 revealed a startling slowdown in progress. From 1990 to 2011, the average annual increase in life expectancy throughout Europe was 0.23 years. Between 2011 and 2019, however, this dropped to just 0.15 years.
England witnessed the most substantial loss, with its average yearly improvement plummeting from 0.25 years (1990-2011) to only 0.07 years (2011-2019), a decrease of 0.18 years. The second largest slowdown occurred in Northern Ireland, where the rate fell by 0.16 years, followed by Wales and Scotland, both experiencing a reduction of 0.15 years. The general fall in life expectancy raises severe worries about people’s future health.
What are the primary causes of the slowdown in life expectancy?
Experts link the declining life expectancy to increasing rates of obesity, poor diet, and mass physical inactivity. “The slowdown in life expectancy improvements, particularly due to cardiovascular disease and cancer, highlights the urgent need for stronger action on the root causes,” said a senior health official.
Heart disease deaths were identified as a key driver of the slowdown between 2011 and 2019. This coincided with rising body mass index (BMI) levels and high exposure to unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Without addressing these issues, the decline in life expectancy is likely to continue.
What effect on life expectancy did the COVID-19 epidemic produce?
Between 2019 and 2021, life expectancy declined across most European countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant falls were recorded in Greece and England. However, some countries, including Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Belgium, managed to maintain or even improve their life expectancy rates despite the pandemic.
The epidemic worsened already existing medical conditions, which helped to lower life expectancy even more. Countries already experiencing obesity and poor diets saw more marked reductions in their general life expectancy.
Which nations managed to sustain gains in life expectancy?
Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium were resilient nations during the epidemic and sustained life expectancy gains following 2011. Researchers linked stronger public health policies encouraging better diet and exercise to the lower death rates from cancer and heart disease experienced in these countries.
“Countries like Norway and Sweden held on to better life expectancy after 2011 and saw reduced harms from major risks for heart disease,” noted a lead researcher. “In contrast, England and other UK nations fared the worst, with some of the highest risks for heart disease and cancer, largely due to poor diets and lack of physical activity.”
What Needs to Be Done to Reverse This Trend?
Health officials stress the importance of more assertive policies to combat obesity and encourage physical activity. “More action is needed across society since we cannot treat our way out of the obesity crisis—we need to stem it at the source,” a health official underlined.
The National Health Service has introduced initiatives such as a 12-week digital weight management program, which has helped many individuals lose weight. However, experts argue that broader policy changes are necessary. “This is about long-term population protections from risk,” the lead researcher observed. “We need to engage with the food industry to improve our national diet and make it easier for people to be active in their daily lives.”
Promoting a better lifestyle and tackling obesity could stop the further decline in life expectancy and enable future generations to lead longer healthier lives.
Have We Reached a Natural Longevity Ceiling?
Although there is a slowing down, scientists think Europe has not yet reached a natural limit on lifetime. “Life expectancy for older people in many countries is still improving, showing that we have not yet reached a natural longevity ceiling,” the head researcher said. “We still have plenty of scope for reducing harmful risks and preventing early deaths.”
Efforts to improve diet, promote physical activity, and adopt effective public health strategies can reverse the current drop in life expectancy and ensure long-term benefits.
What Is the Government Doing to Address the Issue?
The administration has acknowledged the issues faced by falling life expectancy. Although the Department of Health and Social Care claims to have inherited an underfunded and under-resourced public health system, its spokesman said it is still dedicated to making sure individuals lead longer, healthier lives.
A 10-year health plan is now being prepared to shift healthcare focus from treatment to prevention. “Prevention is the cornerstone of a healthier society, and it will be a key part of the upcoming health plan,” a top health official noted.
With a comprehensive approach that targets obesity, food, and physical inactivity, authorities want to reverse the drop in life expectancy and ensure future generations experience continuous advances in longevity.
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