Men enjoy more of their life in 'good health' than women

New figures show that men can expect to spend a higher proportion of their lives in “good” health than women.

Males at birth in England could expect to spend 80% of their remaining lives in “good” health, compared with females 77%.

The report, from the Office for National Statistics, also found that healthy life expectancy for men and women did not keep pace with increasing life expectancy, meaning people are spending longer in “not good” health.

The statistics also found large inequalities of healthy life expectancy between local authorities.

Males in Wokingham could expect to live 15.5 years longer in “Good” health than males in Blackpool (70.5 years compared with 55.0 years).

At birth, females in Richmond upon Thames could expect to live 17.8 years longer in “Good” health than females in Manchester (72.2 years compared with 54.4 years).

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Advances driven by medical research have led to treatments and preventative measures that are helping people live healthier for longer.

“But with an ageing population more people are spending their final years living with multiple chronic illnesses, including heart disease and heart failure.

“We need to fund more research to help improve the quality of life of those living with debilitating heart conditions that are currently incurable.”