As record numbers of Brits live to be 100, we must rethink our health plans, says expert

Jan. 18, 2024 - PRLog -- The number of Brits living to be 100 or more shows no sign of slowing. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that, compared to the previous year, 2022 saw an increase of 3.7% in the number of centenarians in England and Wales. The number of UK centenarians has more than doubled since 2002.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, (LML) says: 'More and more of us are living into our second century. That's good news in many ways, but it does mean that we should be planning for a longer future than we might have anticipated. The increasing chance of a very long life means we may need to rethink our retirement and healthcare provisions.

'Historically, many more women than men live to be 100 or more in the UK. In mid-2022, there were 12,390 female centenarians in England and Wales, up 3.5% on 2021. However, the number of men living to be 100 or more, while still relatively low (2,730), was 5% up on 2021 and that number is growing fast.

'Our chances of living to triple digits is actually higher in Wales than in England. Wales had 27 people per 100,000 aged 100 or over, compared with 25 people per 100,000 in England.

'Apart from keeping King Charles busy sending out 100th birthday messages, what does this increase mean? Well, it's great that many people are living longer, but quality of life is as important as quantity.

'It's up to each of us to ensure we reach our 90s and beyond in as good a shape as we can possibly be. London Medical Laboratory's own General Health Profile test gives a comprehensive check of our liver and kidney function, bone health, iron levels, diabetes (HbA1c) and a full cholesterol profile. It's a useful way to map changing requirements over the years, helping us to live longer, happier and more active lives, even as we approach our century.

'London Medical Laboratory's General Health Profile blood test can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 120 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/general-health