Adults with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier from diseases such as cancer

New analysis of NHS data highlights a stark disparity in life expectancy among adults with severe mental illness, who face nearly five times the risk of dying from preventable physical diseases before 75 compared to the general population. The findings, led by the Rethink Mental Illness charity, show these individuals die 15 to 20 years earlier on average, driven largely by treatable conditions that disproportionately affect them. Experts warn the gap underscores systemic failures in healthcare access and preventive care for those with severe mental health challenges. The research raises urgent questions about how to bridge this devastating inequality in public health outcomes.

Exclusive: Stark health inequalities in terms of deaths before age of 75, NHS data revealsAdults 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.The analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity reveals that people with severe mental health problems die 15-20 years earlier than the wider adult population, largely due to preventable physical conditions. Continue reading...