The UK’s death rate has reached a record low in 2024, according to exclusive analysis by mortality experts at the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI). However, despite this positive news, experts are expressing concern over the long-term trend of gradual improvement in mortality rates.
Researchers found that deaths per head of population had returned to pre-pandemic levels and were slightly below the previous record in 2019. This is a significant turnaround after years of slowdown and increase in death rates since 2011.
However, experts point out that this trend puts the UK back on its long-term path of gradual improvement, which has been marked by a slow decline in mortality rates over the past few decades. “This is five years of basically flat mortality improvement, it’s pretty poor by historical standards,” said Stuart McDonald from the CMI.
One area of concern is the rise in death rates among young working ages, with experts highlighting that this trend is concerning and not seen in other Western European countries. The UK saw a significant increase in drug-related deaths, particularly in Scotland, which has diverged from the trends observed in other countries.
Experts also point to rising risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, and low levels of exercise, against a backdrop of widening social inequality and pressure on the NHS. “Cardiovascular disease remains a leading killer in the UK,” said Prof Bryan Williams OBE, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation.
In response to this trend, the government is shifting its focus from sickness to prevention and targeting the drivers of ill health. However, experts call for urgent action to address these issues and prevent further increases in mortality rates.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j09vn2x2ko