Life expectancy is an indicator of overall population health, while healthy life expectancy is a measure of the years lived without disability. Both of these indicators are based on lifecourse conditions, and it is therefore only an estimate for future lives lived.
The reasons for the differences in life expectancy between Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and Dorset are unknown, but are most often ascribed to lifecourse conditions as described by indicators of socio-economic deprivation, such as the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
One consequence of increasing population life expectancy, generally, is that older people form an increasing proportion of the population, i.e. our population is ageing. Preparing for the socio-economic effects of higher numbers of older people, and especially the ‘oldest old’ (those age over 85) is likely to prove challenging to local planners, social care providers, the NHS, and the range of institutions and public bodies concerned with the welfare and well-being of the population.
Key statistics
Life and healthy life expectancy indicators for BCP, Dorset, South West and England, Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHE). * indicates a statistically significant difference from the respective English Average.
| Indicator (years) | BCP | Dorset | South West | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (male) | 80.2* | 80.9* | 80.2 | 79.6 |
| Life expectancy at birth (female) | 83.5 | 84.6* | 83.8 | 83.2 |
| Life expectancy at 65 (male) | 19.4* | 20.0* | 19.3* | 18.9 |
| Life expectancy at 65 (female) | 21.6* | 22.2* | 21.7* | 21.2 |
| Healthy life expectancy at birth (male) | 64.5 | 64.0 | 65.0* | 63.4 |
| Healthy life expectancy at birth (female) | 66.6* | 67.0* | 65.3* | 63.9 |
Source: PHOF 2016-18 (Accessed 11/06/2020)