WOMEN in Bradford are not living as long, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), while the life expectancy of men in the city is creeping up.

The latest ONS data, which covers 2011 to 2013, also says that the decrease in life expectancy for women in Bradford is against the national trend.

Women in the area can expect to live until 81.4 years - down from 81.5 years for 2010 to 2012.

That contrasts with the national picture, where the average life expectancy for a woman is up from 83 to 83.1 years.

The change pushes Bradford women into the top 30 of lowest life expectancies nationally. Out of 346 local areas, Bradford is 317th - compared with 310th between 2010 and 2012.

Women in Bradford can also expect to not live as long after the age of 65. According to the ONS data (2011 to 2013), women in Bradford will live for an average 20 years from 65, compared with 20.2 for 2010 to 2012.

Nationally that figure has remained the same, at 21.1 years.

Greg Fell, consultant in Public Health for the authority, said: "The latest statistics confirm that there is a long term trend of improving life expectancy across the district, particularly among men.

"Although there is always concern when we see a small fall in the life expectancy of women, from a statistical point of view, this is within the margin of error in these figures.

"The life expectancy figures are an important measure of health in the district and we continue to keep a close eye on the figures.

"Although many health factors that influence the figures are historic, it is never too late for people of all ages to improve their own health.

"Stopping smoking, drinking less, taking more exercise and eating less sugar and fat are all things that can make a real difference to someone’s life expectancy.

"We are also working hard to ensure good health starts from an early age in the district and our work on the Healthy Start and Every Baby Matters programmes aims to ensure future generations enjoy a longer and better quality of life in years to come.”

Men across Bradford district will live to 77.7 years, according to the ONS, whose previous data (2010 to 2012) gave the life expectancy at 77.5. The number means Bradford jumps from 310 to 304 in the local area list of male life expectancy.

The increase is mirrored nationally, where male life expectancy has climbed from 79.2 years to 79.4.

The life expectancy from 65 for men in Bradford is 17.6 years - the same as it was in 2010 to 2012.

Also, Bradford trails behind the Yorkshire and Humber average. Regionally, women's life expectancy is 82.2 years, while men's is 78.5.

Bottom of the male life expectancy table for the third time in a row was Blackpool, with an average of 74.3 years. Women in Manchester were bottom for the fifth time in a row, with an average life expectancy of 80.

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