Why preventing long-term sickness in the UK is an economic necessity

With extended life expectancy Britain has wound up an increasingly sick nation - and experts say that this is as bad for GDP as it is for our health

• UK must move towards disease prevention to save economy and NHS, says expert

The extension of life expectancy in the 20th century was supposed to be one of the greatest societal opportunities in modern Britain.

But although the longevity dividend bought valuable health and economic gains for individuals and societies, it has long ceased to pay out: instead of living longer, healthier lives, we are an increasingly sick nation where we live longer, but in worse health.