Understanding Healthy Life Expectancy: A New Approach

Tuesday 14th January 2025

Healthy life expectancy (HLE) provides a vital measure of not just how long people live, but how long they live in good health. This metric helps highlight regional health inequalities, where two areas with similar life expectancies may differ significantly in the number of years spent in good health. To improve the accuracy and reliability of this data, particularly at local levels, the ONS has introduced a new methodology.

Why the Change?

HLE is calculated using death registrations and self-reported health data from the Annual Population Survey (APS). However, smaller survey sample sizes in recent years have reduced the robustness of local-level results, especially when broken down by age and sex. Past data also showed significant variations in health outcomes across local areas, partly due to the pandemic. Understanding whether these changes are short-term or indicative of longer trends is critical for policymakers and healthcare planners.

The New Methodology

The new model leverages statistical techniques, such as logistic regression, to adjust APS data and better estimate the distribution of "good" and "not good" health across local areas. This approach considers factors like age, sex, and location, resulting in more stable and reliable HLE estimates.

Improved Insights

This updated method provides a more consistent view of health outcomes at local levels, reducing extreme variations seen in previous models. While it adjusts some HLE estimates, it aligns closely with national trends and rankings, offering a clearer picture for healthcare planning. The new methodology has been applied retroactively to data from 2011-13, allowing for better comparisons over time.

Collaboration and Impact

Developed in partnership with health and statistical bodies across the UK, this improved approach ensures the data meets the needs of policymakers and researchers. By offering a more accurate understanding of health trends, this update helps inform decisions to improve public health outcomes and reduce regional disparities.

For more information, visit the ONS website to explore the latest HLE figures and insights.