Life expectancy
We want people to be able to live their extra years to the full, in good health and free from preventable disability.

We are working with a range of partners on projects to support people to live fuller, healthier, more active later lives and to reduce the inequality that prevents many people from enjoying their longer lives.
For decades, life expectancy has been, on average, increasing year on year. Medical and public health advances, among other factors, have significantly contributed to our longer lives. A girl born in 2018 has a one in five chance of living to 100 years old.
But the trend of increasing life expectancy has stalled, and the opportunity of healthy longer lives isn’t being shared equally. Of the ten areas in England where life expectancy is highest, six are in London and three are in the South East.
We are working in a number of areas and with partners across different sectors on projects seeking to close the health gap between richest and poorest in our society and to reduce wider inequality.