Children born in SLOVENIA stand a better chance of making it to their fifth birthday than British youngsters according to latest health statistics



Females in the UK have lower life expectancy than Spain and Italy



Under-fives death rate is higher than in Czech Republic and Slovenia

World Health Organisation review chairman says we are failing 'many of our children, women and young people on a grand scale'



British women are dying earlier than some of their counterparts in other European countries including Portugal, Greece and Slovenia, a report has warned.

A woman living in the UK will have an average life expectancy that is two years shorter than women in France, Spain and Italy – as well as a year shorter than the average in Cyprus, Malta or Andorra.

Female obesity levels in Britain are also the worst in Europe, with 23 per cent of women considered too fat, double the continent’s average.

British women are dying earlier than some of their counterparts in other European countries including Portugal, Greece and Slovenia

And the study revealed that the death rates in Britain for children under five are higher than in most neighbouring countries, with even comparably poor states such as the Czech Republic and Estonia faring better.

Britain was ranked 21st out of 28 countries who could provide figures for death rates in the under-fives, only coming ahead of former Eastern bloc countries.



The World Health Organisation and academics from University College London compiled the report which, for the first time, provides a detailed comparison between the overall health levels in more than 50 countries in Europe.

British women and children could enjoy a healthier life across the Channel in countries including Slovenia (stock photo)

It shows Britain ranks 21st out of 53 for female life expectancy rates – just behind Greece, Slovenia and Portugal.

On average British women live to the age of 83 compared to 85 in Spain, France and Italy.

But for men, the figures are considerably better, with the nation placed 11th.



Men in Britain live to an average age of 78 compared to 80 in Israel and Iceland, which have the joint highest life expectancies.



Professor Michael Marmot, from University College London, said: ‘We are failing too many of our children, women and young people on a grand scale.



‘I would say to any government that cares about the health of its population – look at the impact that their policies have on the lives people are able to lead and, more importantly, at the impact on inequality.’

Professor Marmot, who chaired the report, said he believes the country’s failure to tackle rising obesity levels is partly to blame for the disappointing figures.

He said: ‘For obesity, particularly female obesity, we are absolutely dreadful. It’s dramatic and appalling that we have such high levels of obesity. We really are storing up big problems there. We are doing very badly.’



He added: ‘Why we eat so unhealthily is a much more broader and complex question.

‘We think there are things we can do to change that but we’ve not done very much so far.’

He also warned that youngsters who are not working or studying are ‘storing up a public health timebomb’ – as they tend to have worse lifestyle habits and suffer from higher levels of depression and suicide.

They will also have far lower incomes, meaning their children will be more likely to live in poverty and be unhealthier, he said.

The picturesque shores of Slovenia's Lake Bled could be the key to women and children living healthier lives for longer, the World Health Organisation report has revealed

And he described unemployment in this age group as ‘very worrying’ adding that the impact it would have on their own children’s health will be ‘tragic’.

Public health minister Jane Ellison said: ‘This report underlines the stubborn nature of health inequalities across Europe.

‘It reinforces the message that people’s health is shaped by the conditions in which they live, work and age – and that action is needed to improve them.’