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Original poster

Life expectancy now shorter than it was.

145 replies

OperationMalena · 22/03/2023 07:25

From The Guardian, "Life expectancy at retirement now is two years shorter than it was when they did the last review".

So, they aren't increasing the state pension age to 68 YET because our average national life expectancy has decreased. This, plus apparently middle-aged people are fed up and it is a vote loser.

But hey, life expectancy in this country has declined. Our government(s) must be so proud. I mean WTF? How difficult can it be to find decent people in this country to run the place?

If this carries on, maybe they need to bring in retirement earlier.

OP posts:
Verylongtime · 22/03/2023 08:14

Allblackeverythingalways · 22/03/2023 07:44

Unless you are unlucky, it IS in your control.
I don't smoke or drink, I sleep well, but I'm fairly sedentary. I just found my blood pressure is a bit high, so I'm dealing with it. (Bit sad, I love salt unfortunately!)
I may still be unlucky and end up with cancer or a heart issue@, but I can reduce my chances.
So many people just refuse to make changes and won't help themselves.

Victim blaming. I did all of that and I still got cancer young. I have never smoked, never drunk alcohol, am vegetarian/vegan, don’t eat junk food or takeaways, and I run marathons or half-marathons.

I thought I was super healthy until it happened to me.

I think the things that cause ill health are things out of our control -eg, toxins in the environment.

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:17

It's cars.

People drive everywhere.

We need to walk and cycle more.

People are obsessed with cars. They pay a small mortgage for them. They customise them. They build their entire lives round machines that are literally designed to immobilise them.

Then they wonder why they're overweight and sick.

Ohhlavache · 22/03/2023 08:21

@QuertyGirl Like the people in WALL-E

We don't have much of a cycle network here but I wish we did. I can't drive due to nasty epileptic seizures but I'd cycle on paths for miles and miles.... 😍 I'm my happiest while on a bike

(Too scared to cycle in busy areas!)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Retirement & pensions
jlpartnerrs · 22/03/2023 08:23

When I found out that cyclists live on average 10 healthier years (No longer but just healthier) we ditched our cars and replaced with decent cycles. We save a fortune, I cycle everywhere for my job (Working on different sites) and my husband WFH anyway.

It was hard, really hard, but hopefully worth it.

premicrois · 22/03/2023 08:26

@Laurdo

I think it's safe to assume when I made the comment I was referring to the people who would post with genuine reasons. I think you just proved the point though. People don't want to believe for a minute that there may be a reason, it's much easier to vilify.

Twinedpeaks · 22/03/2023 08:26

Ohhlavache · 22/03/2023 07:48

Diets are sometimes bad because of the pressure of a SAHP to go out and find work. So 5.30pm arrives with hungry children and ultra processed food / processed food is usually quicker and cheaper to cook.

And thus starts the cycle of lazy cooking..... 😔

(I've been there myself. Currently unemployed due to redundancy and now I have time to actually cook from scratch. But I know when I find a job it'll go down hill again)

God if only men could operate an oven. Peaking debilitating penis

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:28

There are socio economic reasons associated with poor health, but many prefer to ignore these & blame the individual

jlpartnerrs · 22/03/2023 08:32

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:28

There are socio economic reasons associated with poor health, but many prefer to ignore these & blame the individual

Yes, because it's much easier and it's human to do this. It's hard to look past our own privileges and biases. It can be done, but like most people we are caught up in the rat race ourselves.

We had to literally give up the car to force ourselves to bike. It was supposed to only be for a year but we decided not to buy a new one.

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:33

Looks at communities of people where many of them live to 100 and still in good health, mobile, doing gardening and walking daily. Most of those communities aren't wealthy so the healthy food is too expensive doesn't really wash.

nonsense, those communities tend be low stress.

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:36

Unless you are unlucky, it IS in your control.

That's a dangerous way of thinking. I know a few people who got cancer or died young despite being very healthy.

Ohhlavache · 22/03/2023 08:37

Peaking debilitating penis

😂 next time we have an argument, I'm using this!

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:38

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:33

Looks at communities of people where many of them live to 100 and still in good health, mobile, doing gardening and walking daily. Most of those communities aren't wealthy so the healthy food is too expensive doesn't really wash.

nonsense, those communities tend be low stress.

And they walk or cycle. Japan, Netherlands

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:39

People are obsessed with cars

it's far more nuanced than that. I used to walk to work & school & really miss it. However due to high house prices I've moved further away & I can't reduce my hours due to col & business need so I'm using my car daily now.

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:39

Ohhlavache · 22/03/2023 08:21

@QuertyGirl Like the people in WALL-E

We don't have much of a cycle network here but I wish we did. I can't drive due to nasty epileptic seizures but I'd cycle on paths for miles and miles.... 😍 I'm my happiest while on a bike

(Too scared to cycle in busy areas!)

Exactly- that film scared the crap out of me.

crossstitchingnana · 22/03/2023 08:40

It's deprivation and poverty that shortens life expectancy. There are huge divides now between affluent areas and deprived ones.

This is what 13 years of Tory policy will do.

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:41

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:39

People are obsessed with cars

it's far more nuanced than that. I used to walk to work & school & really miss it. However due to high house prices I've moved further away & I can't reduce my hours due to col & business need so I'm using my car daily now.

Medically, I can't drive.

What would you do in my situation?

I work, do the school run, hobbies, shopping etc.

Oldnproud · 22/03/2023 08:42

Mumoftwoinprimary · 22/03/2023 07:34

“Life expectancy at retirement”.

Could mean that life expectancy has shortened. Or could mean that average age at retirement has increased. (Or could be a bit of both.)

Does it clarify?

That is a very good point you make there.

Letsrunabath · 22/03/2023 08:42

jlpartnerrs

sorry to derail the post. We are looking to give up our car and use ebikes. Any tips?

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:42

crossstitchingnana · 22/03/2023 08:40

It's deprivation and poverty that shortens life expectancy. There are huge divides now between affluent areas and deprived ones.

This is what 13 years of Tory policy will do.

That as well.

A low, paid job in a call Center on an industrial estate, with low pay (necessitating long hours) and no public transport (so requiring car) is the modern day black lung.

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:43

Letsrunabath · 22/03/2023 08:42

jlpartnerrs

sorry to derail the post. We are looking to give up our car and use ebikes. Any tips?

Get a tern.

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:43

And they walk or cycle. Japan, Netherlands

completely different life style though

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:45

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:43

And they walk or cycle. Japan, Netherlands

completely different life style though

Yes. One which we can and will adopt.

The alternative is US levels if obesity, heart disease etc

It's that simple

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:47

@QuertyGirl what's your point? Because you don't need a car I can't possibly? I'm sure we would manage better if DH wfh.

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:50

It's that simple

It's really not simple to change an entire nations psyche!

QuertyGirl · 22/03/2023 08:53

soffa · 22/03/2023 08:50

It's that simple

It's really not simple to change an entire nations psyche!

The Dutch did it

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