Urgent calls to reverse falling life expectancy rate across Scotland
Research by Glasgow University suggests it is on a sharp decline in the poorest areas across the country.
There is a warning the life expectancy in the poorest areas across Scotland is falling because of austerity cuts over the last decade.
New research from Glasgow University shows the average life expectancy rate has fallen because people can't afford to buy healthy food or pay heating bills.
It is making 40 recommendations to tackle obesity, social security and covid-19 recovery.
Dr Gerry McCartney, Professor of Wellbeing Economy and lead author of the report said: “At a time when we are witnessing an escalating cost of living crisis, now is the time to listen to the evidence.
"We need to implement solutions that will support rather than damage population health.
"Any further austerity policies that squeeze public spending will have disastrous long-term impacts on population health and result in more and more lives cut short.
"We cannot allow that."
Over the past two centuries, there has been a consistent improvement in mortality rates across the UK.
However, after 2012 life expectancy stopped improving and death rates among people living in the poorest areas have increased.
Dr David Walsh, co-author of the report and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said: “These changes are almost unprecedented.
"They should simply not be happening in a wealthy society such as the UK.
"The evidence shows they are principally the result of UK government austerity policies that have squeezed billions of pounds from public services and social security and have had a devastating impact on the lives of so many in our communities.
"We have created this animation to highlight the tragic consequences of these policy choices.
"This is a matter that affects us all and we want to ensure that as broad a range of people as possible are aware of what has been happening and add their voices to those calling for urgent action."