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Health Inequalities

Health outcomes

In this section we provide a unique collection of data illustrating the differences that young people aged 10-24 can experience in their physical and mental health outcomes. 

In 2021 there was a 16.6% gap between obesity rates in 10/11 year olds in the least and most deprived areas

Mortality and life expectancy

Young people aged 10-14 living in the most deprived areas will live 18 more years in ill health compared to young people in least deprived areasThere are very few data looking specifically at variations in different kinds of adolescent and young adult mortality in the UK in relation to deprivation. It is a difficult task due to the low number of deaths in this age group. However it is clear that child and adolescent mortality is higher in deprived areas. Chart HO14 presents age standardised mortality rates (per 100,000 population) for 10-24 year olds in 2020, by area deprivation (based on Local Authority upper tier areas). This data have been analysed by AYPH, please read more about our methodology.

The National Child Mortality Database (2021) have estimated that 700 fewer children would die per year if children living in the most deprived areas had the same mortality risk as those living in the least deprived.

Chart HO14: Young people in the most deprived areas have higher rates of mortality

The trend data make it clear that this is an enduring trend. Chart HO15 shows that mortality rates for this age group have improved for the least deprived areas over time, but not for the more deprived areas.

Chart HO15: Mortality rates for young people in deprived areas have not improved as much as for those in less deprived areas

In 2020, there were 1.5 times more deaths in 10-24 year olds in more deprived areas, compared to least deprived areasLife expectancy is the measure many people use to demonstrate health inequalities within society. Looking specifically at young people aged 10-14, there are stark differences in how long young people are projected to live and how healthy their lives are expected to be, based on the area in which they currently live and grow up in. For the 2018-2020 period, the most deprived boys aged 10-14 will likely live for an additional 64.1 years, compared to an additional 73.5 years for the least deprived boys. Girls generally are predicted to live a little longer, but the differences remain. The most deprived girls will likely live for an additional 68.8 years, compared to an additional 76.5 years for the boys.

Chart HO16: Boys aged 10-14 in the most deprived areas will die 9.4 years earlier than those in the least deprived areas, and for girls the life expectancy gap is 7.7 years

Healthy life expectancy is defined as the average number of years that an individual is expected to live in good or very good health. For young people born today, looking at the remaining number of years they are expected to live young people in the most deprived areas will likely live 18 more years in ill health compared to young people in the least deprived areas.

Chart HO17: For healthy life expectancy there is no difference by gender, but young people from deprived areas are likely to live 18 more years in ill health compared to their peers

All data correct as of 1st May 2022

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