28: Low life expectancy in the north east, and what to do about it – with Alice Wiseman and Professor Clare Bambra

Improvements to life expectancy slowed in the last decade, and in some communities even went into reverse.  

In England, the north east region has the lowest life expectancy. The last decade and a half has seen a worrying increase in mortality among younger people, and in particular men who are dying before their time. A big chunk of this excess mortality seems to be down to so called ‘deaths of despair’ – that’s deaths by suicide, violent injury and substance misuse. 

So what's going on? And what can be done about it?

To discuss, our chief executive Dr Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council. 

Professor Clare Bambra, professor of public health at Newcastle University.

Show notes

Local healthy life expectancy at birth by region and sex (2022) The Health Foundation

Map of healthy life expectancy (2022) The Health Foundation

Major study outlines wide health inequalities in England (2022) The Health Foundation

Health inequalities are worsening in the North East of England (2020) NIHR

Making health services work for deprived populations in the North East (2022) NHS England

Deaths of Despair: Conceptual and Clinical Implications (2021) Cognitive Behavioural Practice

Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On (2022) The Health Foundation

What is happening to life expectancy in England? (2022) The King’s Fund

Life expectancy declining in many English communities even before pandemic (2021) Imperial College London

Our approach to reducing healthcare inequalities by NHS England

Historic £1.4 billion devolution deal for North East (2022) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities