Health in the United Kingdom

[1] Life expectancy in the country consistently rose from the 18th century onward, but the rate of increase slowed from 2011 and stagnated in 2018.

[9] There were 50,100 excess deaths during winter 2017/2018, mostly among older people, and the highest number since 1976; cold weather and problems with flu vaccine were blamed.

[10] In January 2024, The BMJ reported that data is suggesting that "life expectancy in the UK seems to have reduced by around half a year per person", partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[11] A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that was published in November 2024 indicated that the United Kingdom has the worst life expectancy in western Europe.

[13] The rising rates of childhood obesity were described as a "national emergency" by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in February 2016.

[14] 28.1% of adults in the United Kingdom were recognised as clinically obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 in 2014.

[23] In 2017 a survey found that 65% of Britons have experienced a mental health problem, with 26% having had a panic attack and 42% said they had suffered from depression.

[29]In 2014 more than 11 million British people (excluding Northern Ireland) were reported to have a long term impairment or disability.

[32] The Black Report, published by the Conservative government in 1980, highlighted the relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes.

[34] Due to climate change, the UK has experienced a significant increase in severe heat waves which have dire health consequences.

[39][37] Without climate change mitigation or adaptation measures, heat-related deaths could increase sixfold by the 2050s, particularly affecting children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.