The ‘Living Longer, Living Well’ report from the Richmond Group concludes that without significant national action 250,000 people will die from preventable conditions by 2025, and even more people will have the quality of their lives drastically reduced.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set targets for a 25% reduction in early deaths from common long-term conditions between 2010 and 2025. The Richmond Groupfunded study forecasts that without action the UK will miss this target, but that coordinated action could save lives above and beyond the WHO target and prevent a total of 1.12 million years lived with disability (YLD) by 2025.
The authors of the study identified 12 potential national policy interventions that could help significantly reduce both deaths and disability caused by the most prevalent long-term health conditions – including coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, arthritis and dementia – by addressing the key preventable health risks of smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, poor diet and physical inactivity.
Modelling four of these possible interventions in more depth, the study finds that many lives could be saved or improved over a 10-year period if they were implemented. In particular, it shows:
- 26,000 fewer deaths if food was reformulated to reduce salt, sugar and portion size
- 2450 fewer deaths from an increase in tobacco tax
- 98,000 years lived with disability avoided if physical activity support was delivered through GP surgeries
- 86,000 years lived with disability avoided if alcohol marketing was further restricted.
Based on the findings of the study, the Richmond Group is calling for Government, public services, businesses and charities to work together to find solutions which can improve the physical and mental health of thousands of people for the better.
The Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of over 30 leading national health charities, campaign groups, and Royal Medical Colleges, including Diabetes UK, has responded to the Richmond Group’s report. They said in a joint statement: “Being obese increases the risk of serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and common cancers; these conditions in turn are associated with an increased risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression. As well as being personally devastating for all those involved, they also place a huge financial burden on the NHS and society.
“We live in an environment where everyday processed food and drink is packed full of added sugar, salt and saturated fats, which makes it extremely difficult for the public to make the right choices when it comes to diet and to eat healthy foods.” The Alliance called on the Government to implement an effective Childhood Obesity Strategy as well as targets, backed by regulation, for the food and drinks industry to reduce sugar, salt and saturated fat content.
