Study of women in the north of England shows they live shorter lives

By Tom Wilkinson, Reporter3rd September 2024News EnglandHealth and Wellbeing, Inequalities, News England, North East, North West, Poverty / Austerity

Women in the North of England have shorter lives and work more hours for less pay, according to new research.

They are also more likely to be an unpaid carer and live in poverty than women in other English regions, according to a study published by Health Equity North.

The report, Woman of the North: Inequality, health and work, has been backed by two female northern elected mayors, Tracy Brabin and Kim McGuinness, and calls for central Government to do more to tackle regional inequality.

The findings show that women living in the the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East, have lower healthy life expectancy, fewer qualifications, worse mental health, and are more likely to suffer domestic violence or to end up in the criminal justice system than their counterparts in the rest of England.

In addition, infant mortality is higher and abortions are more common.

The research also found that girls born in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber between 2018 and 2020 can only expect to live in good health until 59.7, 62.4 and 62.1 years, respectively.

This is up to four years less than the national average and up to six years less than girls born in the South East.

Women in the North contribute £10bn of unpaid care to the UK economy each year, the findings show, while one in five women aged 55-59 in the North of England provide care to a family member because of sickness, disability, mental illness or substance use.

More than 70 academics, health and social care experts contributed to the report.

Hannah Davies (pictured), executive director at Health Equity North, said: “Our report provides damning evidence of how women in the North are being failed across the whole span of their lives.

“Over the last 10 years, women in the North have been falling behind their counterparts in the rest of country, both in terms of the wider determinants of health and, consequently, inequalities in their health.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn the tide on the years of damage detailed in this report.

“But the situation for women’s health in the North can be changed for the better through evidence-based policy interventions.”

Ms Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “While the findings of this report will resonate with every woman and girl in West Yorkshire, they must now act as a vital wake up call to everyone in a position of power.”

And Ms McGuinness, North East Mayor, added: “From leaving school to the boardroom, at home and at work, women and girls across the North bear the brunt of failings in our economy, society and public services.

“The lack of equality and opportunity that remains ingrained in modern Britain is unacceptable.”

Among the measures suggested were helping women to claim their rightful benefits, improving childcare provision and ending the two-child benefit cap.