LIFE expectancy for men in Bradford is almost two and a half years lower than across England as a whole, new figures show.

Data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that across 2020 and 2021, the average life expectancy for men in Bradford stood at 76.3 years.

Bradford's male life expectancy was below the national average of 78.7 years.

The main contributor to this inequality for Bradford men were circulatory issues – which caused 1,341 male deaths over the two-year period and reduced life expectancy by 0.8 years when compared to England as a whole.

Meanwhile, average life expectancy for women in Bradford was 80.8 years in 2020 and 2021.

David Finch, assistant director at the Health Foundation, a charity working to tackle health inequalities, said: "There are staggering differences in life chances in the UK depending on where people live.

"Prior to the pandemic, improvements in health had stalled while inequalities had widened.

"This includes major variation in healthy life expectancy between different areas of the country but also within local areas – sometimes between places that are just a few miles from one another."

Within Bradford, men from the wealthiest fifth of the population can expect to live 8.3 years longer than the area's least well-off – with a difference of 7.7 years for women.

Deaths due to Covid-19 were the main reason behind comparatively lower life expectancy for poorer men in the area over 2020 and 2021 – reducing their expected life span by 2.3 years.

Mr Finch added: "We also see significant variation in how many people have long-term conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, between different areas.

"Such marked differences in health are partly related to the varying conditions in which people are born, live and work."

He added an absence of economic and educational opportunities in poorer areas will likely impact the health and wellbeing of the most deprived.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said tackling health disparities is a "priority" for the Government.

“Later this year we will set out bold action in a white paper to reduce the gap in health outcomes between different places, so that people’s backgrounds do not dictate their prospects for a healthy life.

“We are also helping local authorities improve public health by increasing their grant to just over £3.4 billion this year, and we are investing a further £39 billion in overall health and care over the next three years.”

 

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