Early deaths far more common in England's most deprived areas

Adults in England's most deprived areas had a risk of early death 2.3 times higher than those in the least deprived areas, according to analysis by the Health Foundation, reported by the Guardian. The gap applied to both men and women.

The analysis defines premature mortality as dying before one's 75th birthday. It drew on demographic data from the 2021 census, a national count of the population, and on records of deaths from March 2021 to December 2023.

The difference shows up clearly in the death rates. In the most deprived areas, there were 815 premature deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 353 per 100,000 in the least deprived areas.

Education and employment show similar divides. Women with no qualifications had a premature mortality rate 2.5 times higher than women with a degree or higher. Men who were long-term unemployed or had never worked had a rate 3.5 times as high as men in higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations.

The inequalities also vary by region. They were highest in the north-east, the north-west and Yorkshire and The Humber, and lowest in London. Among women who had never worked or were long-term unemployed, the north-west recorded 796 deaths per 100,000, which the analysis puts 72% above the 462 per 100,000 recorded in London.

Ethnicity is linked to different rates again. Black Caribbean men had the highest male premature mortality rate, at 573 deaths per 100,000, followed by white British men at 537. Chinese men had the lowest, at 284. Among women, white British and Black Caribbean women had the highest rates, at 370 and 367 per 100,000 respectively, while Chinese women had the lowest, at 181.