‘Alarming’ health inequalities between older people in the North and South of England

Older people in the North of England are living with ‘alarming’ inequalities, including poorer health and lower levels of physical activity, resulting in millions of pounds of avoidable costs to the NHS, a new report has found.

The Ageing in the North study reveals that people living in the North have a shorter life expectancy than older people living in the South. Northerners are also more likely to be poorer, socially isolated and living in inadequate housing.

Researchers say the inequalities, which stem from economic and social factors, are ‘totally reversible’ if policymakers are willing to act.

The Northern Health Science Alliance led the study, bringing together researchers from several UK universities, including the University of Sheffield, Durham University, Lancaster University, Newcastle University, and the University of Manchester.

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North East has highest number of unhealthy years

Examining the health of older people in the North, the researchers found stark contrasts with the South of England. Life expectancy in the North is two years shorter than the rest of England, with premature death rates 20 per cent higher for those in the North.

Researchers predict that men aged 65 and over in the North East will experience the highest average number of unhealthy years of life, 20.2 years, compared to 16.6 in the South East. For women, this equates to 23.7 years and 19.4 years, in the North versus the South.

Older people living in the North East and North West are 1.61 and 1.33 times more likely to be frail

Older people living in the North East and North West are 1.61 and 1.33 times, respectively, more likely to be frail, leading to higher rates of falls that require hospital treatment. Falls and hip fractures cost the NHS £55.7 million per year in the North compared to £258.8 million in the South.

Physical inactivity in the North East among 55- to 74-year-olds is at 31 per cent compared to 22 per cent in the South East, and ill health also affects the ability of northerners to continue working into older age.

The North of England also has the highest number of people aged 65 and over living in care homes, costing the country approximately £4.83 billion in care home fees.

To mitigate the impacts of unequal ageing across the country, the researchers recommend a cross-governmental approach that addresses themes of inequality, education, housing, employment, and health.

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Action needed to reduce costs to the NHS

To reduce costs to the NHS, the report highlights a need to invest in adult social care in the North of England and develop a strategy to increase physical activity in older people. In addition, the researchers suggest that improvements in housing, specifically prioritising ageing in place and investing in accessible, age-friendly homes, will also save the NHS money.

Emeritus Professor Alan Walker, from the University of Sheffield, said: ‘This report paints an alarming picture of how inequality has eaten away at the quality of life of so many older northerners. In almost every aspect we investigated, there is a yawning gap between the North and the South – from their income and health to their housing, social care and sense of isolation.’

This gap is hardly new, but the most frustrating thing about it is that it is totally reversible

He added: ‘This gap is hardly new, but the most frustrating thing about it is that it is totally reversible – assuming that policymakers are willing to take decisive steps to address these issues, and provide a better life for our family members, friends, and neighbours as they age.’

Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire, who presented the report this week to Westminster, said: ‘Where you live shouldn’t affect your experience of ageing. If we want to create a society that supports everyone to live and age better, we need to tackle the wider societal issues that result in some people in some communities dying earlier and living longer in poor health.’

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Reference: Ageing in the North. Northern Health Science Alliance. 2025