Britain's quarter century: Experts in sex, mental health, nutrition and addiction assess nation's changing well-being

Experts have evaluated the changing well-being of the United Kingdom over the past quarter-century, examining aspects like sex, mental health, nutrition, and addiction. One crucial metric is period life expectancy, which measures how long a person born today would live if current death rates remained constant for the remainder of their life.

This indicator has experienced two significant turning points: a slowdown in improvements around 2011 and a sharp fall in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK's stagnation in lifespan gains is similar to other high-income countries, including France, Germany, and Italy.

The pandemic had a devastating impact on the UK, with 179,000 COVID-related deaths in 2020-21 being the largest mortality shock since World War II. Mortality rates peaked in 2020 and have since declined, returning to levels close to those in 2019 by 2024. The pandemic may have severe long-term implications for all social groups.

Shifts in major causes of death shape the UK's mortality trends. In 2024, cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and dementia accounted for three-quarters of deaths in England. Despite initial declines in cardiovascular mortality, progress has stalled since 2019 due to fewer medical breakthroughs and rising pressures on healthcare systems.

Obesity has emerged as the top lifestyle risk factor, with the proportion of obese adults in England rising from 20% in 2001 to 30% in 2024, potentially leading to an increase in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Mental health issues are also on the rise. Common mental health conditions increased from 17.5% in 2000 to 22.6% in 2023-24 among working-age adults, with higher rates among younger people. Low back pain now leads in years lived with disability in the UK. Mental disorders are steadily increasing among the population.

Nutrition has also undergone substantial changes. In 2001, meal deals were a novelty, and phones had buttons. Today, food availability, purchasing habits, promotions, and regulations have changed significantly. Supermarkets dominate the retail landscape, with discounters like Aldi and Lidl gaining market share. However, large supermarkets continue to supply over 80% of our daily calorie intake, maintaining significant influence over public health.

The density of fast-food outlets has surged, outpacing the growth in supermarket density, raising concerns about the health consequences of increased fast-food consumption.