Report finds the UK is lagging behind other countries' mortality trends

A new report reveals that more people are dying sooner than previously expected across many high-income countries, including the UK.

The study, "An analysis of mortality trends in developed countries," by the Longevity Science Panel (LSP) reveals that, contrary to what we might have expected from mortality trends over the last few decades, more people are dying sooner across many high-income countries, including the UK. Professor Debbie Price, former MICRA Director sits on the panel as an advisory member.

Of the 16 developed countries with long-run data studied, the UK is among the worst-performing. In this report, the yearly improvement is called the 'mortality improvement rate' which has recently been slowing in the UK and other countries, prompting many questions.

The report looks in detail at trends in death rates for men and women, paying special attention to changes since 2010 for those above 50 years of age. It uses statistical models to study death trends between 1965 and 2010, as the basis for projections from 2011 onwards. These projections were then compared with what actually happened.

Key Findings:

The report concludes that for the above 50s:

• More people are dying than might have been expected, had the earlier trends in the improvement in death rates continued in many countries, including the UK.
• Our statistical models projected lower 'mortality improvement rates' from 2011 than in the preceding decade among men in 14 countries and women in seven countries.
• When we compare what actually happened since 2011 against our projections, there is a marked gender difference. Women in 14 countries, but men in just 8 countries, have experienced lower mortality improvements than projected since 2011.
• Some Nordic countries have bucked the trend, implying fewer deaths than projected. They include men and women in Denmark and men in Sweden and Finland.