Britons are not ageing healthily – we need to learn from countries that have made it a priority | Devi Sridhar
In doing so, Andy Burnham has put the spotlight back on one of the major challenges facing almost everywhere in the world: how to manage the demographic changes linked to an ageing society.It’s an important discussion. But what if government didn’t just look at how to care for people in their later years and instead spent real political capital on policies to help people live longer independently, and in good health? Without anything changing in these trends, more older people in poor health means more people dependent on their loved ones, the private sector and the state for care – and a higher burden on an already struggling NHS.As a public health expert, my question is: how much of this shift is preventable?
- ▪In doing so, Andy Burnham has put the spotlight back on one of the major challenges facing almost everywhere in the world: how to manage the demographic changes linked to an ageing society.It’s an important discussion.
- ▪But what if government didn’t just look at how to care for people in their later years and instead spent real political capital on policies to help people live longer independently, and in good health?
- ▪Without anything changing in these trends, more older people in poor health means more people dependent on their loved ones, the private sector and the state for care – and a higher burden on an already struggling NHS.As a public health exp
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — Politics |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/29/britons-not-ageing-healthily-protect-nhs-social-care |
| Publication time | Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:00:56 GMT |
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‘It’s about our diet, as well as regular movement of the muscles we need to stay functionally independent each day.’ Photograph: Cultura RM/AlamyView image in fullscreen‘It’s about our diet, as well as regular movement of the muscles we need to stay functionally independent each day.’ Photograph: Cultura RM/AlamyOpinionHealth policyBritons are not ageing healthily – we need to learn from countries that have made it a priorityDevi SridharAlthough we’re living longer, the data on healthy life expectancy in the UK isn’t good.
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