Analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity finds that adults with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier than the wider population, largely due to preventable physical conditions.
Key facts
- Adults with severe mental illness are nearly five times more likely than peers to die from serious physical diseases before age 75.
- People with severe mental health problems die 15-20 years earlier than the wider adult population.
- Deaths are largely driven by preventable physical conditions such as cancer.
- The analysis was carried out by the Rethink Mental Illness charity using NHS data.
Adults with severe mental illness are nearly five times more likely than their peers to die from serious physical diseases before the age of 75, according to research reported by the Guardian.
The analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity reveals that people with severe mental health problems die 15 to 20 years earlier than the wider adult population. The charity attributes this gap largely to preventable physical conditions.
According to the Guardian, the findings highlight stark health inequalities in terms of deaths occurring before the age of 75. Diseases such as cancer are among the physical conditions contributing to these earlier deaths.
The scale of the disparity — a nearly fivefold increased risk of dying from serious physical diseases before 75 — underscores concerns about how physical health is managed among people living with severe mental illness.
The research draws on NHS data, giving weight to the charity’s conclusions about the size of the life expectancy gap affecting this group.
Why it matters
The findings point to a significant and largely preventable health inequality affecting people with severe mental illness. A gap of 15 to 20 years in life expectancy suggests that many deaths could be avoided with better physical health care for this population.
Frequently asked questions
How much earlier do people with severe mental illness die?
According to the analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity, people with severe mental health problems die 15 to 20 years earlier than the wider adult population.
What causes these earlier deaths?
The charity says the earlier deaths are largely due to preventable physical conditions, including diseases such as cancer.
Who conducted the research?
The analysis was carried out by the Rethink Mental Illness charity using NHS data, as reported by the Guardian.