Life expectancy in Lambeth is falling to its lowest level in ten years

Average life expectancy for men and women living in Lambeth has fallen to its lowest level in ten years, according to new figures.

Male life expectancy saw an “alarming” drop from 80 years in 2019 to 77 years in 2020, while female life expectancy fell from 85 years to 83 years over the same period, they showed the data.

The difference in life expectancy between men and women in the borough is 5.3 years, higher than the London average of 4.1 years.

The figures, published by Lambeth Council as part of their Health Profile, also show that the number of male residents living in “poor health” has increased by a third from 2011 to 2020.

HIV testing coverage fell by 17% from 2019 to 2020, despite the borough having the highest detection rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the capital.

Lambeth also has the second lowest antibiotic prescription rate in London, while the flu vaccination rate is almost 16% below the national level.

The impact of Covid on the overall health profile of the borough is not entirely clear as it does not include data for 2021 or 2022 – the two pandemic years which saw the highest number of infections and hospitalizations in London.

Donna Harris, a Liberal Democrat councilor for Lambeth, called on the Council to introduce blood pressure and diabetes checks at banks and food centers to tackle the borough’s health problems.

“It is very concerning that there has been a fall in life expectancy in Lambeth for both men and women in recent years,” she said.

“Lambeth Council must take urgent action to reach communities that do not access health checks through their GP. I welcome that my proposal to have these checks available in food banks and local centers will be considered.

“We also need to address the health inequalities women experience during menopause by improving symptom screening, treatment and mental health support.”