Want to live to 100? Here's how

Whilst the UK is facing an ongoing public health crisis and life expectancy is declining in a number of high-income countries, some tech billionaires have become obsessed with life longevity – but which factors really impact how long we live and when we die?
Public health expert Devi Sridhar speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World about the launch of her new book 'How not to die (Too Soon).
She explains how changing public health policy could improve life expectancy, what the UK can learn from other countries when it comes to health, and what her own cancer diagnosis taught her about the state of the NHS' waiting list times.

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Reuters

20 minutes ago

• Reuters

UK launches investigation into maternity care after multiple scandals

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - British health minister Wes Streeting launched an investigation into maternity services in England on Monday, aimed at driving urgent improvements after a series of high-profile failures that have led to the deaths of babies and mothers. The investigation will aim to report back by December 2025, Streeting said in a statement, adding that it would look at up to ten of the worst-performing services in England as well as reviewing the entire maternity system. Over the past two decades, there have been a number of scandals in maternity care across the country including at Morecambe Bay, East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford, and Nottingham. The local review of maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford, for example, found that failures in care over 20 years may have led to the deaths of more than 200 babies and nine mothers. Streeting said failures in maternity care provided by the state-run National Health Service had caused many families to lose babies or suffer serious harm and should never have been allowed to happen. "Maternity care should be the litmus test by which this government is judged on patient safety, and I will do everything in my power to ensure no family has to suffer like this again," he said in a statement. The aim is to create one set of actions to improve maternity care across the country, the statement said. The government will also establish a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce of experts and bereaved families.

The Independent

23 minutes ago

• The Independent

Health secretary launches ‘rapid' probe to improve NHS maternity services

& Lily Shanager Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity services to provide truth to bereaved families and drive urgent improvements. The investigation aims to address systemic failures in maternity care, which have caused trauma, loss, and a lack of compassion for many families. Streeting acknowledged that maternity units are failing across the country and apologized on behalf of the NHS for the suffering families have endured. A National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce will also be launched, chaired by Streeting, with the investigation expected to report back by the end of the year. Professional bodies support the investigation, highlighting issues like workforce shortages and maternity units being at or beyond breaking point.

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

'Mounjaro changed my life but broke my heart - I've never been so furious'

Jess Miles, 37, had been overweight since she was a child, and after trying 'every diet going', discovered Mounjaro. But despite losing a remarkable amount of weight, she was left 'heartbroken' for one reason Jess Miles had struggled with her weight since childhood, tipping the scales at 24 stone and needing belt extenders on flights. In a bid to lose weight, she discovered Mounjaro and has since lost seven stone, but the experience has left Jess 'heartbroken'. Before discovering Mounjaro, the 37-year-old from Newcastle Emlyn had tried "every diet going", but nothing seemed to work. "I've been overweight since I was a kid. It got worse after I had my son, nearly 16 years ago," Jess told Wales Online."I've tried everything - Slimming World, Weight Watchers - you name it! I'd lose a couple of stone, then binge eat, put it all back on and give up until the next time." ‌ Ultimately, reaching 24 stone and four pounds, along with her mother's dying wish and fears for her own mortality spurred Jess into action. "I lost my mum just before COVID," Jess recounted. "One of the last things she ever said to me was that she wanted me to lose weight. She was a big woman, too, but after getting diagnosed with diabetes, she changed everything. She went from a size 26 to a 14 - it was really amazing to see. She did it - and she wanted the same thing for me." ‌ In addition to this, Jess observed herself in the mirror last year: "Reaching 24 stone... I cried. Honestly, I felt ashamed of myself. I thought that if I didn't do something, I wouldn't live to see my son turn 18." It was amid this turmoil and determination that Jess discovered Mounjaro - a weight loss solution now causing ripples across society for its controversial yet intriguing results. Jess noticed the weight loss trend gaining traction on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, "It was everywhere," she said. "But I didn't know anyone who had tried it. Back then, it was so new, so I was very apprehensive about it." The cost was another factor that gave her pause – a hefty sum of over £250 per month. "I kept putting it off, thinking 'I can't afford this'. But one day I just thought, b****r it! Something has to change and nothing else has worked!" she exclaimed. With newfound resolve, Jess booked a consultation at Lechyd Teifi Health, a private clinic. On July 4, 2024, she nervously met with the consultant, confessing: "I actually said out loud, 'I don't know what I'm doing here.' I was so incredibly nervous." She didn't shy away from voicing her concerns about potential side effects. "The list was terrifying," Jess acknowledged. "I have read that there are possible cases of thyroid cancer, liver and kidney issues.... not to mention the more common stuff like nausea or constipation." ‌ Her worries were not without merit, as the NHS website lists several common side effects such as feeling sick, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea. It also notes the possibility of more severe issues such as low blood sugar, gallstones, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Jess had no underlying health issues that could have made her treatment risky, and after a thorough discussion with doctors at her workplace, she was given the go-ahead to start, on the condition of frequent blood tests to monitor her health. Almost a year ago, Jess took her first injection and immediately felt a shift. ‌ "I had my first injection the day of my consultation. That night, I remember sitting down to eat and I just... couldn't," she recounted. She was stunned by her inability to finish her meal that evening. "There was a full plate of food in front of me, and I managed about a quarter of it. I physically couldn't eat more. It was shocking. Normally, I'd eat massive portions without a second thought." However, the surprise Jess felt soon gave way to nausea, which persisted during the initial weeks and occasionally still occurs. Jess shared: "I wasn't used to it in the beginning. I felt sick a lot, especially the first weekend. I barely ate anything." ‌ Jess realised this experience was actually beneficial. "But weirdly, I sort of needed that reset. It forced me to stop and think about what I was putting in my body." Her lifestyle revolution extended beyond mere portion control. Jess outlined: "I don't eat breakfast now. A coffee keeps me going until about half ten and then I'll have a small portion of fruit before lunch. If I have a proper lunch, sometimes I don't have supper. I have cut down on all my snacking. The injection has changed everything." Now 49 weeks into her weight loss, Jess has reached a remarkable milestone. "I still can't believe it," she declares. "That weight is basically equal to a size of a small child.... it's crazy! It blows my mind." ‌ But news that Mounjaro will be available at GP surgeries in England from today (23 June), and at the price of an NHS prescription, struck Jess hard. She admitted: "I was heartbroken." Describing her initial reaction: "One of the girls in work told me, and I was swearing, ranting, and raving. People are going to be able to walk into a doctor's and get it for free when I've spent thousands. That did hit me quite hard." ‌ However, Jess does see the potential benefits of more people having access, stating: "I know it's safer through the NHS, because they have your full medical history. That's what really matters - making sure it's done properly." Jess expressed her own experience: "I know I could've gotten it cheaper online, but I didn't trust it. I wanted to be supported and monitored. I felt safe doing through the clinic and I don't regret that." In terms of future plans, Jess is quite transparent: "I'd say lose another two stone and I am happy. I am now preparing for my final injection - I will be stopping after this month. With the £250 a month I have been spending, I plan on putting it towards going to the gym and swimming to tone up!" ‌ Her newfound vivacity extended to all aspects of her life, particularly travel, a source of previous discomfort. "We went to Mallorca last year and to get on that plane and not need a belt extender? Oh my god, that was the best day of my life!". The significant lifestyle improvements Jess experienced have been punctuated by several milestones - fitting into smaller clothes and enjoying a weekend without feeling breathless. She has comfortably settled into a size 18, eyeing size 16 as her next goal. With a strong sense of pride and a stark increase in happiness, Jess wants her experience to resonate with others. "I am so proud. I have honestly never been happier and that's really why I am sharing my story. I have seen so much bad conversation surrounding this injection, and people who are on it are too embarrassed to even talk about it - but I am living proof of it working. "If you have no underlying health conditions - and I say this in big, bold, capital letters - then I would 100% advise anyone to take it. The impact it has had on me has been out of this world."