Women In The UK Have Second Worst Life Expectancy In Europe, Report Reveals
British Women Have Second Worst Life Expectancy In Europe
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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Women in the UK have the second worst life expectancy among 15 European countries, alongside high death rates from cancer and diabetes, the Press Association reports.
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) European Health Report 2015 found life expectancy for UK women born in 2011 stood at 82.7 years, with only women in Denmark expecting a shorter life.
Men in the UK can expect to live as long as their European peers.
Women in countries including: Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece can all expect to live longer than British women.
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The study also found premature deaths from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases were higher among men and women in the UK than in several countries, including Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Malta, Italy, Finland, France and Cyprus.
The UK also had significantly higher rates of people being overweight (63.4%) and obese (28.1%), compared with a European average of 56.9% and 22.7%.
Death rates among men aged 30 to 44 were above the European average, while rates among women aged 30 to 74 were "high" and above average.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "It is deeply concerning that the UK is lagging behind almost all of the most developed nations in Europe in terms of average life expectancy for women.
"Even within England, women in the areas with the highest life expectancy live almost seven years longer than those with the lowest.
"Healthy behaviours, whatever your age, and effective care and support can help people have longer, healthier lives than ever before."
Among men, deaths from four major diseases were decreasing and in line with 15 member countries of Europe, the report said.
These countries are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
But for women, deaths from the same four diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and diseases of the digestive system) were high and above the European average.
The report said levels of alcohol consumption, tobacco use and the numbers of people who are overweight or obese, which are among the major risk factors for early death, "remain alarmingly high" across Europe.
It said: "The European region has the highest levels of alcohol consumption and tobacco use in the world, and ranks only slightly behind the region of the Americas – the WHO region with the highest prevalence – in rates of overweight and obesity."
16 Foods Good For Longevity
Asparagus(01 of17)
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Asparagus is anti-inflammatory and provides digestive support, according to "The Longevity Kitchen," a book that explains the life-extending benefits of healthy foods. (credit:Alamy)
Avocado(02 of17)
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In addition to helping lower levels of bad cholesterol, avocados destroy cancerous and precancerous cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Basil(03 of17)
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This anti-inflammatory herb has been shown to "slow the growth of disease-causing bacteria" and protect liver cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Blueberries(04 of17)
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This superfruit is anti-inflammatory and helps improves brain and heart health, wrote Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson in "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Shutterstock)
Coffee(05 of17)
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Drinking more than two cups a day of coffee may help you live longer by offering protection against respiratory problems and heart disease. (credit:Alamy)
Dark Chocolate(06 of17)
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This treat can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health. Not surprisingly, studies also show dark chocolate to be a mood enhancer, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Garlic(07 of17)
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Garlic may not be good for your breath, but it does help prevent damage to blood vessels, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Green Tea(08 of17)
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According to "The Longevity Kitchen,"green tea has several major health benefits. The antioxidant found in green tea is useful in treating breast, lung and prostate cancer. Green tea also prevents bad cholesterol from forming and can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite. (credit:Alamy)
Kale(09 of17)
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"[Kale] goes way off the charts with certain nutrients, providing more than ten times the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, a key regulator of inflammation, and three times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is vital to eye health and maintaining moisture in the skin and mucous membranes," according to "The Longevity Kitchen." Kale can also reduce your cholesterol, and is associated with reduced risk of ovarian, breast and colon cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)
Olive Oil(10 of17)
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Olive oil has several major health benefits: it helps protect the heart, reduces the risk of respiratory, colon, upper GI track and breast cancer, and helps prevent stroke, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Pomegranate(11 of17)
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In addition to being anti-inflammatory, pomegranate is good for your cardiovascular health and helps lower blood pressure, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Getty Images)
Sweet Potato(12 of17)
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As stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," this tasty tuber helps regulate blood pressure, provides support for your immune system and contains nutrients that help reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. (credit:Alamy)
Thyme(13 of17)
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This fragrant spice helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also helps neutralize common pathogens such as E. Coli, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Walnuts(14 of17)
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"Wanuts offer tremendous heart health benefits," the book's authors write. "They reduce inflammation, bad cholesterol (LDL), and risk of blood clots and can help prevent bone loss." (credit:Alamy)
Wild Salmon(15 of17)
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Salmon contins more healthful omega-3 fatty acids than any other fish. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation throughout the body and may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which causes blindness. (credit:Alamy)
Yogurt(16 of17)
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As stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," yogurt helps maintain and restore healthy bacteria in our body and fights against conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and Crohn's disease. (credit:Alamy)
'The Longevity Kitchen'(17 of17)
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"The Longevity Kitchen" contains recipes designed to improve the length and quality of your life, as well as tips for living a healthier life.