- UK faces “sickness explosion” with detrimental impact on economy and NHS
- Report highlights poor population health, high obesity rates, and health disparities
- Urgent call for an emergency program to improve public health and prevent illness
A survey found that Britain has the worst health in Europe, hurting economic growth and the NHS.
According to specialists, the United Kingdom is experiencing a “sickness explosion” that costs the economy £15 billion per year.
A recent research called British health “among the worst in Europe” due to obesity, excessive drinking, and substantial health inequities.
The poor health of the population, the increasing number of elderly people, and the “exploding demand” for care have created a “health emergency,” according to the study.
Due to “premature, often preventable illness,” the economy and NHS suffer.
A Covenant for Health reports that millions are getting sick prematurely and quitting their employment.
Increased welfare spending and lower tax collections will cost the economy £15 billion in 2022 and 2023.
The authors wrote, “It is imperative to act – the United Kingdom has among the worst population health in Europe, the highest levels of obesity, the worst levels of excessive drinking, very large health inequalities, and a large number of people become sick much earlier than they should.
“Our high rate of preventable, pre-mature illness damages lives, our society, our communities, and our economy. Without decisive action, the situation will worsen.”
The new report, authored by former Labour minister Lord Filkin, former health minister Lord Bethall, public health experts, and academics from the King’s Fund, calls for an “emergency program for better health.”
Lord Filkin, chairman of the Covenant for Health Commission, stated, “We have a population health emergency. Poor population health, an aging population, escalating demand, and rising costs on the NHS are causing an epidemic of illness.” 16 million people will be fat by 2030, and 500,000 will die from smoking and air pollution in five years.
We must maintain our health to be joyful, to contribute, and to preserve our economy and the NHS.
However, government, business, society, and we have done far too little to prevent illness.
Former health minister Lord Bethell added, “Our leaders should recognize that the public does support measures to combat smoking, obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses, as well as junk food and polluted air, to support healthy communities and engage individuals in their health.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated, “Our goal is for people to live longer, independent lives in good health, and we are committed to increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 and closing the disparity between the highest and lowest areas by 2030.
“We have implemented calorie labeling, restricted the placement of less healthy foods in stores, provided the largest single increase in funding for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery in England, and will assist one million smokers in England in quitting by providing them with a free vaping starter package.
“Our Major Conditions Strategy will outline our plan to combat the six most prevalent major conditions, from prevention to treatment, and will take into account a variety of factors, such as employment, education, and transportation, which are crucial to good physical and mental health.”
