White and mixed ethnic groups ‘don’t live as long’ as other groups, study suggests
White and mixed ethnic groups do not live as long as other ethnic groups on average, a government study has suggested.
Experimental data from the Office for National Statistics found that between 2011 and 2014, people from white and mixed ethnic backgrounds in England and Wales had a lower life expectancy at birth than all other ethnic groups.
People from black African backgrounds were expected to live longer than most other groups.
Men from white and mixed ethnic backgrounds had the lowest life expectancy. Source: ONS
White people were also more likely to die of cancer than black or Asian people, the analysis showed.
Women tended to live longer than men across all ethnic groups.
For both sexes, death from coronary heart disease was highest among Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian people, and lowest among black ethnic groups.
Julie Stanborough, deputy director health analysis and life events, said: “These results reveal important patterns in life expectancy and mortality by ethnic group which are complex, but nevertheless consistent with most previous studies.”
“Further research is required to investigate the reasons for the differences,” she added.
She said potential explanations for differences in mortality include past migration patterns, the socioeconomic composition of the groups, health-related behaviours, and clinical and biological factors.
This is the first time the ONS has produced these experimental statistics, which are still being tested and are not yet fully developed.
Women from white and mixed ethnic backgrounds had the lowest life expectancy. Source: ONS
The data is based on an analysis of 50,189,388 records from the 2011 census, which were linked to death registrations.
White men were expected to live until nearly 80, while men from mixed ethnic groups were expected to live over 79 years.
For women from white and mixed ethnic backgrounds, the figure was 83 years.
White men were more likely to die of cancer. Source: ONS
Black African women were expected to live nearly 89 years, with the number dropping to close to 84 years for their male counterparts.
Potential reasons for the higher life expectancy found in the black African and Asian ethnic groups include that they contain a higher proportion of more recent migrants than other ethnic groups, with other research finding that migrants tend to be healthier than other people.
Another contributing factor could be that white people are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol.
White women were more likely to die of cancer. Source: ONS
The study said more research is needed to understand whether living in a deprived neighbourhood has an impact.
Its authors noted that the pandemic may change the figures due to the disproportionate impact it has had on ethnically diverse communities.
The study analysed 1,303,274 deaths that occurred between 27 March 2011 – the day of the 2011 census – and 26 March 2014.
About 95% of people who were counted in the 2011 census were included in the analysis.
Because the death registration process in England and Wales does not collect information about the deceased’s ethnic group, linking death registrations to the census is currently the most reliable way of studying mortality by ethnic group.
The ONS defined mixed ethnic groups as white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian, and ‘other mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds’.
UK
Nicola Bulley’s partner says it is as though ‘she vanished into thin air’ following 45-year-old’s disappearance
The partner of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley has said it is as though “she has vanished into thin air”.
Speaking near the scene where the mother-of-two was last seen, Paul Ansell said he will “never lose hope”, one week after she disappeared.
He also said he kept playing “every scenario” in his head “around and around” and that his focus was on supporting their two daughters.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Signs displayed for missing Nicola Bulley
The search is continuing for the 45-year-old, whose phone was found on a bench still connected to a work call and with her springer spaniel dog running loose.
She was last seen on 27 January at about 9.10am on a path by the River Wyre in the Lancashire village of St Michael’s on Wyre.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Police believe Nicola Bulley fell into the River Wyre
Ms Bulley, 45, a mortgage adviser, had just dropped her two young daughters, aged six and nine, at school.
Mr Ansell said: “I don’t know how I am coping. I don’t want to think about that. I am just focused on the girls.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nicola’s girls ‘are really missing her’
The 44-year-old engineer added: “Every single scenario comes to a brick wall. Every single one of them.
“All we are doing is sitting there going round and round and round through each scenario.
He went on: “We’re never, ever going to lose hope, of course we’re not, but it is as though she has vanished into thin air.
“It’s just insane.”
Mr Ansell also thanked the local community for their “amazing” support and said it had given the family “a great amount of comfort”.
Members of the local community on Friday stood by the side of the road holding signs bearing Ms Bulley’s photo, urging people to contact police with information.
On Thursday Ms Bulley’s heartbroken sister Louise Cunningham told Sky News: “It feels like I’m just stuck in a nightmare”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nicola’s family ‘stuck in nightmare’
In the interview, her family made an emotional appeal to anyone who may have seen her or knows where she is to come forward and speak to police.
Lancashire Police, who have launched a major search operation, said that despite “unanswered questions”, people should not “speculate or spread false rumours” about the disappearance.
The force said they do not believe any crime has been committed and are treating the incident as a missing person inquiry.
People are being urged to book one of the hundreds of thousands of COVID booster appointments still available before the NHS scales down its vaccination programme and focuses on at-risk patients.
More than 400,000 appointments are available at 2,800 sites across England until Sunday 12 February, the last of the autumn booster campaign.
The date is also the final opportunity for 16 to 49-year-olds, who are not considered at-risk and have not yet had a booster, to get the jab – in line with updated guidance from government advisory group the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The body of scientific experts has recommended adopting a more targeted approach to those at risk of serious illness, ahead of a potential spring booster campaign for the most vulnerable and another autumn programme.
So far more than 17.3 million people have come forward for a booster shot this winter, according to NHS England.
More than 144 million doses of the vaccine have now been delivered since grandmother Maggie Keenan made history as the first person in the world to receive the vaccine outside of a trial.
A smaller programme allowing severely immunosuppressed people to book for first, second and third doses will continue after 12 February.
If you are an NHS worker and would like to share your experiences with us anonymously, please email NHSstories@sky.uk
The JCVI has advised that the primary COVID vaccine course should be withdrawn this year for healthy people aged five to 49.
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty stressed the importance of being protected against COVID.
He told Sky News: “We know that having the third vaccination, a booster, is a very important part of immunity to COVID and it provides additional protection, even if people have had COVID or had their first vaccination.
“So the autumn programme which includes the ability for everyone to come forward, is coming to an end on 12 February and I’d encourage anybody who’s not taken up the offer to do so before then.”
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “Whether you have had previous doses or a bout of COVID, we know that a booster is the best way to maintain protection against serious illness from COVID for yourself and your loved ones.”
Mr Russell also hailed NHS staff for working really hard to deliver a combined 38 million flu and COVID doses this winter “amid record pressures on emergency services, providing crucial protection and keeping thousands out of hospital.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
What’s behind the NHS crisis?
Read more:
COVID infections rise in schools – but total level is lowest in four months
NHS expands 111 service to reduce pressure on hospitals
Health Secretary Steve Barclay also urged anyone who hasn’t had their first booster, or is eligible for an autumn booster, to come forward.
“Our hardworking NHS staff and volunteers have done an incredible job getting jabs into arms and they’re on hand to top up your immunity and keep you and your loved ones protected,” he said.
Several sailors have been taken to hospital after their Royal Navy frigate suffered an “issue” with one of its fresh water systems.
HMS Portland was forced to return to Portsmouth Naval Base following the incident and an investigation is now under way.
It was reported that the drinking water on board the ship had been contaminated, which may have been down to human error involving the cleaning system.
It is believed the cleaning system to the water supply could have flowed the wrong way.
Following the incident, a Royal Navy spokesperson said in a statement: “We can confirm that HMS Portland has returned to HMNB Portsmouth as a precautionary measure, following an issue with one of the ship’s fresh water systems.
“The health and safety of our personnel is of the utmost importance and we are taking a number of measures to safeguard the ship’s company whilst the issue is investigated.”
He added: “A small number of personnel were taken to hospital as a precaution and HMS Richmond has been stood up to cover any contingencies.”
HMS Portland – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines, according to the navy website.
It is a Type 23 frigate that last month tracked the movements of a Russian warship in the North Sea.
HMS Portland monitored the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sailed in international waters close to the UK.
HMS Portland, in the foreground, tracked Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama in January near the UK
Read more:
Why spectre of British military becoming a ‘hollow force’ is now a reality – analysis
Broken down £3bn warship to return to base with one propeller for repairs
The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian coast guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.
Based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, HMS Portland was launched in 1999.
It weighs 4,900 tonnes, is 133 metres long and has a top speed of more than 28 knots.
-
Technology1 year ago
Game consoles were once banned in China. Now Chinese developers want a slice of the $49 billion pie
-
Sports1 year ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports3 months ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Politics1 year ago
Yvette Cooper promoted and Lisa Nandy to shadow Gove on levelling up brief in Labour reshuffle
-
Politics1 year ago
Have the last few wobbly weeks seen a turning point for Johnson as PM?
-
Business4 months agoLiz Truss’s ‘favourite’ economist says chancellor ‘took his eye off ball’ and ‘overstepped the mark’ with mini-budget
-
Politics1 year ago
Govt minister says she ‘doesn’t believe’ Stanley Johnson inappropriately touched MP
-
Videos4 months ago
World leaders come together for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral