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Press Release

Men over 65 faring less well: Age UK's response to latest ONS healthy life expectancy figures

31 August 2011

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said:

“It's very worrying that these figures clearly show there has been a drop in how long men aged over 65 are likely to be in good health. It's also disappointing that for women aged over 65 there has been virtually no improvement in how long they will live healthily.

“Maximising healthy life expectancy demands a coordinated and lifelong approach addressing housing, income, healthy living and ensuring that older people receive the health services they need.

“With the NHS reforms currently under discussion, it is crucial that any changes benefit the UK's older population who are its biggest user group. Any backsliding in the progress made in improving healthy life expectancy over recent years would betray the country's older population.

Notes:

ONS life expectancy figures show that average healthy life expectancies for women at age 65 are 11.5 years (compared to 11.3 last year) and 9.9 years for men (down from 10.1 last year)

ONS life expectancy figures show that average healthy life expectancies for women at age 65 are 11.5 years (compared to 11.3 last year) and 9.9 years for men (down from 10.1 last year)

ONS life expectancy figures show that for men at 65 the average years of morbidity has increased from 7.3 percent (2006 - 08) to 7.7 (2007-9).

For women the figure has decreased from 8.8 (2006-8) to 8.7 (2007-9)

At 65, men can expect live on average 56.4% of the rest of their lives in good health, down from 58.2 % last year.

At 65, women can expect to live 56.9% of the rest of their lives in good health up compared to 56.2%last year.

For full details see the ONS.



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