Revealed: Areas of the UK where you’re most likely to die young

Britain’s stark death divide was today laid bare in an interactive map revealing how your risk of dying prematurely varies depending on where you live. 

Figures show how Blackpool has the highest premature mortality rate—for every 100,000 people living there, nearly 700 died before turning 75. 

Although that rate appears low, it was 2.5 times higher than Richmond upon Thames, where adults had the best chances of avoiding an early grave, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The affluent south west London borough had a rate of just 285 per 100,000. 

The first-of-its-kind research, which tracked deaths between 2021 and 2023, uncovered a clear North-South divide.

Out of the 20 constituencies with the worst premature death rates, 14 of them were in the north, with three in the Midlands and three in Wales. 

All rates are age-standardised, meaning they factor in the age distribution of different areas.

This is because comparing two populations that have different age structures is not fair. 

Premature deaths may happen from illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, injuries, violence and even suicide.

Daniel Ayoubkhani, head of the ONS health research group, said: ‘This analysis shows a clear association between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely.

‘When accounting for differences in age and sex, we see that there are substantial differences in premature mortality rates across local authorities in England and Wales.’

Charles Tallack, Health Foundation director of research and analysis, added: ‘The opportunity of living a long and healthy life is dependent on the socio-economic conditions people live in.

‘This analysis can be used to support co-ordinated, cross-sector action to address health inequalities.’

According to the ONS figures, behind Blackpool came Blaenau Gwent in Wales (618), Knowsley (616) and Liverpool (609). 

Middlesbrough and Blackburn with Darwen, meanwhile, logged figures of 605 and 604.    

Blackpool has also long been plagued with widespread drug and alcohol abuse, mental health crises and high suicide rates.

These types of deaths have been described by the bleakly poetic phrase ‘deaths of despair’ by health researchers.

The ONS data does not include Scotland or Northern Ireland.  

It is also different to life expectancy, which is typically lower in Scotland.

This is due to the well-publicised problems of high alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, sedentary behaviour and smoking rates—which are slightly higher than England.

The analysis also broke down premature mortality rates by health condition—cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions and diabetes—with Blackpool again ranking in worst position for three out the four. 

The data showed the town had an age-standardised mortality rate due to cancer of 208—more than double that of Harrow which recorded a rate of 103. 

It was followed by Kingston upon Hull (202) and Knowsley (199). 

The analysis also comes after a study last year concluded one in four premature deaths will be due to cancer between 2023 and 2050.

This equates to around 50,000 per year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

It warned that the ‘current trajectory of cancer costs is unsustainable’.

Experts have long warned that lung cancer is the leading cause of the extra cases linked to deprivation, mostly because smoking is much more common with those living in deprived areas.

They are also more likely to be overweight or obese, which is the second biggest preventable risk factor for cancer after smoking.

Deprived people are also less aware of cancer symptoms and also experience more barriers to seeking help—such as getting an appointment at a time that works for them.

Among the areas with the highest age-standardised mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease, Blackpool (146) was followed again by Blaenau Gwent (141) and Sandwell (137). 

Alarming data last year revealed that premature deaths from cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, in England had hit their highest level in more than a decade.

Blackpool (113), equally, was also followed by Knowsley for the highest rate of age-standardised mortality due to respiratory conditions (109). 

But for diabetes related premature deaths, the London borough of Newham recorded the highest figure at 115. 

Sandwell,meanwhile, reported a figure of 109, with the London borough of Tower Hamlets and Luton, both logging 105.