Wales ranked lower than England in life expectancy for both men and women in recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Within Wales itself, the valleys of South Wales ranked lowest.
(Image: Heidi Collie) “Period life expectancy” is calculated using the ONS Census, taking the mortality (death) rate for a certain year and assuming that it applies for the rest of a person’s life.
While average life expectancy tends to increase year-on-year across the UK, the 2021-2023 data dipped below 2017-2019 numbers.
The country is ‘yet to see a recovery from the decrease in life expectancy we saw during the pandemic,’ according to a spokesperson from the ONS.
In the recent data, the two Welsh local authorities with the lowest life expectancy were in the valleys: Merthyr Tydfil for males (75.4 years) and Blaenau Gwent for females (79.0 years).
(Image: Heidi Collie)
As period life expectancy does not take into account the cause of death, another ONS dataset is worth considering: “healthy life expectancy” (HLE). This is the average number of years a person can expect to experience ‘good’ general health, calculated using self-reported data from the Annual population Survey (APS) as well as the Census.
Torfaen ranked lowest for male HLE, at 54.88 years.
(Image: Heidi Collie)
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers Torfaen, Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent, ranked second lowest of all Welsh health boards, with an average male HLE of 58.93 years.
Hypertension, obesity and diabetes are the most prevalent health conditions in the county, each with higher rates than the Welsh average.
In response to data like this, Gwent Public Services Board has committed to improving social determinants of health, most of which lie outside the healthcare system.
This involves eight ‘Marmot’ principles including: ensuring a healthy standard of living, tackling racism and discrimination, creating fair employment, and giving every child the best start in life.
Gwent is the first region in Wales to become a ‘marmot region’.
With health conditions entwined with social factors, mental health charities also play a key role in offering support. For men’s wellbeing, these charities include Men’s Sheds Cymru and Andy’s Man Club.
(Image: Heidi Collie)
“The recent ONS data highlights significant disparities in life expectancy across Wales, underscoring the urgent need to address the factors affecting men’s health and wellbeing,” said Rob Visintainer, Welsh development manager at mental health charity Men’s Sheds Cymru.
With a focus on improving health outcomes and ‘closing the gap’ on access to healthcare, Men’s Sheds Cymru aims to tackle ‘loneliness, isolation, and poor mental health—key contributors to health inequalities’ by providing opportunities for men to connect with one another.
Similarly hosting support groups in towns across South Wales, Andy Barton acknowledges the stigma which surrounds men’s mental health: “At Andy’s Man Club, we know that the hardest thing is to walk through the door.”
When Mr Barton first joined the charity as an attendee in 2022, they were helping 1,800 men across 90 locations around the UK. Today it has more than 250 clubs nationwide.
“Our ultimate aim is to be within a 20-minute drive of any man,” says Andy, “Turn up for a brew and a chat, but you can say as much or as little as you like.”
Prioritising community-building in local areas, both charities provide insight into how South Wales is striving for better in terms of men’s health and wellbeing.
