Babies born in Dumbarton and the Vale have some of the lowest life expectancies anywhere in the country.
According to newly published figures from charity Health Equals, a youngster born in Dumbarton, Alexandria or Clydebank can expect to live to the age of 77. This is only a year longer than the lowest figure in the UK, 76, held jointly by Glasgow and Bradford.
The UK has a shocking postcode lottery when it comes to life expectancy, with children born in some areas predicted to live 16 years longer than in others.
One neighbourhood in the Somerset market town of Bruton has an average life expectancy of 92 years of age – the highest in the country.
Locally, neighbouring Helensburgh’s average sits at 80, while that figure is the same in Killearn and Drymen. East Dunbartonshire towns Milngavie and Bearsden both have an average of 82.
The data from Health Equals shows that postcode areas in northern England and Scottish cities have far lower life expectancies than more affluent parts of the south of England and more rural northern regions.
The group’s campaign #LivesCutShort, calls attention to regional disparities in life expectancy, highlighting the millions of lives being “needlessly” cut short across the country, purely because of where someone lives.
West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said: “This report underlines the shocking levels of inequality in Britain and the impact of austerity imposed by Westminster.
“Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. It’s unacceptable that so many people living in deprived areas face lower life expectancy.
“As the gap between rich and poor widens, the failure of Rishi Sunak’s government to tackle the cost-of-living crisis can only make matters worse.
“Scotland’s efforts to tackle the root causes of inequality will continue to be undermined for as long as the main levers of power are controlled by Westminster.”
Carrie Hume, head of Health Equals, said: “Our members are diverse but carry the same message.
“The size of the UK’s life expectancy gap is entirely preventable, but not enough attention is paid to how our health is shaped by our interactions with the world around us.
“We’re calling on politicians to take action, doing more to understand what shapes our health, and creating plans to improve our opportunities for good health.”
John Godfrey, director of Levelling Up, Legal & General added: “Life expectancy has stalled for the first time in 100 years - while for some areas of the UK, life expectancy is reversing.
“The UK is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet people are spending more time in poor health. It’s harming society, our economy and leading to lives needlessly cut short across the UK.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “It is shameful that people in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven have some of the shortest life expectancy out of the whole of the UK.
“Under the SNP’s watch, life expectancy in Scotland fell for the first time since records began and is now the lowest out of the four UK nations. This is shameful.
“Regardless of who the next First Minister is, the SNP need to get a grip of increasing health inequalities, before it is too late.”
