Story perspectives
90% Brits Sick Before Pension Age, Healthy Life Span Falls
4/27/2026
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Story summary
- Over 90% of Britons develop illness before the state pension age 66, Health Foundation reports.
- Healthy life expectancy fell to under 61 years, the second-steepest drop among rich nations.
- The fall aligns with rising obesity, mental-health disorders and 2.8 million unable to work.
- Men in Richmond have 69.3 healthy years versus 50.9 in Blackpool.
- The Department of Health calls the trend a disgrace and cites tobacco, vape and junk-food ad bans.
