Alarm raised as healthy life expectancy drops sharply in Bolton

Bolton & District Pensioners Association shared its concerns after new Office for National Statistics figures revealed the second largest drop in Greater Manchester.

In Bolton, men are now expected to live just 54.6 years in good health, a reduction of five years since 2019 to 2021, while women’s healthy life expectancy has fallen from 60.4 years to 55.3 years, a drop of 5.1 years.

Alan Johnson, chairman of the association, said: “As a group, we are not just concerned about the well-being of pensioners.

“We care deeply about what the future holds for our children and grandchildren.

“They could become the first generation worse off than their parents.”

John Reehill, who spoke at a recent meeting, said the figures reflected the long-term impact of austerity and growing inequality on public health.

Mr Reehill said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that austerity is not only making people unhealthy, it is costing lives.”

The association has launched a campaign against further NHS cuts and privatisation.

Following the release of the latest data, members agreed to broaden the campaign to emphasise the value of investment in prevention, housing, employment, mental health support, and wider public health services.

The group said the report should act as a wake-up call for both local and national decision-makers.

The decline in healthy life expectancy marks the lowest recorded in Bolton since the ONS began reporting on the measure in 2011 to 2013.