National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures show link between deprivation and health.
A boy born in 2018 in one of the 10% most deprived areas of Scotland will live for 13 years less than a boy from the most affluent areas. The gap for girls is 9.6 years.
There is clear evidence in the data tables published by NRS of the reason for this. A boy born in the poorer areas can expect to spend almost a third of his life (29.2%) in poor health. While, for girls it is 34.5%.
At the other end of the scale, an affluent baby boy will have ill health for just 13.1% of his life, with a slightly higher figure (14.9%) for girls.
Women living in the 10% least deprived areas can expect to spend 23 more years in good health than those in the 10% most deprived areas. For men, the difference in healthy life expectancy is 22.5 years.
The figures are a stark reminder that deprivation has a significant effect on life expectancy, and an even greater one on healthy life expectancy.
Life expectancy in Scotland has been the lowest of any UK country since 1982.
NRS Statisticians are now working with NHS Health Scotland to help identify the reasons for stalling life expectancy and ultimately divert resources to help Scots live longer and healthier lives.
There is good news within the report however. The lowest rates of stillbirths and children dying in their first year.
