A new study has found that the gap in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor populations in Britain has widened, highlighting growing health inequalities across socioeconomic groups.

The research indicates that people from disadvantaged backgrounds are experiencing shorter periods of good health compared to their wealthier counterparts, with the disparity becoming more pronounced over time.

Researchers have identified several potential underlying causes for this decline, including poor housing conditions, rising obesity rates, and the broader effects of economic deprivation on health outcomes.

The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about inequality in Britain and the challenges policymakers face in addressing disparities across different segments of society. The health gap reflects wider socioeconomic divisions that have persisted despite various government initiatives.

Healthy life expectancy measures the number of years a person can expect to live in good health, rather than simply total lifespan, making it a key indicator of population wellbeing and the effectiveness of public health policies.