Healthy life expectancy falls in West Dunbartonshire

Residents in the area can now expect to spend fewer than 54 years in good health, according to new analysis from the Health Foundation.

This decline forms part of a wider trend across Scotland, where average healthy life expectancy (HLE) has dropped by three years over the last decade.

David Finch, assistant director of 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 West Dunbartonshire can expect to live as little as 53.2 and 53 years respectively in good health."

HLE is calculated using current mortality rates and self-reported health and represents the average number of years a person can expect to live in good health.

The latest figures reveal HLE has fallen below 60 years in Scotland for the first time since records began – now standing at 59.1 years for men and 59.4 years for women.

David Finch said: "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."

The decline is widespread, with healthy life expectancy falling over the past decade for females in all but one local authority and for males in 28 local authorities.

David Finch said: "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."