United Kingdom – Health Issues

What are the most common health issues and diseases in the UK?

The health landscape of the UK in 2024 is shaped by the ongoing weight of chronic illness alongside evolving patterns in mental health, respiratory disease, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and other widespread disorders. These broad categories drive public health policy, determine how NHS resources are deployed, and directly influence daily life for people living across Britain.

The most frequently reported health problems in the UK are arthritis or joint complaints (18.4%), elevated blood pressure (16.6%), and mental health conditions (12.7%). The drug classes most commonly prescribed by the NHS are those targeting cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and hypertension.

Mental ill health stands out as one of the most widespread concerns across the country. Data from 2024 indicates that one in four adults will experience a mental health condition in any given year, with anxiety and depression accounting for the greatest share. This proportion has climbed considerably over the past decade, a trend that accelerated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when prolonged uncertainty, social isolation, and stress took a significant toll on the population.

Respiratory conditions — particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma — place a heavy burden on the healthcare system. The NHS Long Term Plan identifies respiratory disease as one of the principal drivers of hospital admissions, with more than 12 million people affected by asthma and approximately 1.2 million carrying a formal COPD diagnosis.

Type 2 diabetes has become an increasingly urgent public health concern, with its prevalence climbing steadily. Figures from the NHS Diabetes Prevalence Model (2024) put the total number of people living with diabetes in the UK at around 4.9 million, a rise driven largely by lifestyle factors including poor eating habits, physical inactivity, and excess weight.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — encompassing conditions such as heart disease and stroke — remains one of the foremost causes of death in the UK. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer nationally, with roughly 56,000 women and 375 men receiving this diagnosis annually. Cancer Research UK attributes approximately 15% of UK cancer cases to smoking and 3–4% to alcohol consumption.

In England in 2022, the four most common major cancers were breast, prostate, bowel, and lung cancer. There are marked regional disparities in health outcomes: in England, the highest healthy life expectancy at birth is concentrated in London and the South East, with Richmond upon Thames recording the best figures for both men and women. At the other end of the spectrum, areas such as Blackpool, Hartlepool, and Sandwell record the lowest figures — Blackpool has held the lowest male healthy life expectancy across the entire UK since the 2016 to 2018 period.

Is the UK considered a healthy country? How do health outcomes compare internationally?

The UK benefits from universal healthcare coverage and has achieved considerable public health progress over the past century. Nevertheless, on several key measures the country currently falls short of many comparable high-income nations — context that is worth understanding before you relocate.

Female life expectancy at birth in the UK stood at 83.0 years in the 2022 to 2024 period, up by 18 weeks from the preceding non-overlapping period. For males, life expectancy at birth reached 79.1 years, an increase of 21 weeks from the 78.7 years recorded in 2019 to 2021. These figures are published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which should be consulted directly for the most current data.

As of 2022 to 2024, males in the UK could expect to live 60.7 years (77% of their total life) in good general health, while the corresponding figure for females was 60.9 years (73% of their total life). Despite the modest upturn in life expectancy since 2019 to 2021, healthy life expectancy at birth for both sexes declined to its lowest point since the data series was first compiled in 2011 to 2013.

An OECD report released in November 2024 found that the United Kingdom has the lowest life expectancy in western Europe. While UK life expectancy is below that of many peer nations, it is worth noting that most countries experienced declines during the COVID-19 pandemic and a slowing of improvement even before that.

Relative to other wealthy nations, the UK trails on a number of health indicators, including life expectancy and infant mortality, and carries a growing mental illness burden. There have been genuine successes — improvements in dental health stand out — but health inequalities remain deeply entrenched. Tobacco use is the single biggest risk factor for avoidable mortality in those under 75, followed by elevated BMI, high cholesterol, and raised blood pressure.

Between 2011 to 2013 and 2021 to 2023, the gap in healthy life expectancy between the most and least deprived parts of England widened by 22% for men (reaching 17.9 years) and by 17.1% for women (reaching 18.2 years). This persistent regional inequality is one of the defining features of UK public health. For the latest figures on life expectancy and health indicators, readers should consult the WHO Country Profile for the United Kingdom and the ONS directly.

What infectious diseases or environmental health risks should expats be aware of in the UK?

By international standards, the UK carries a low risk of serious infectious disease. Tap water is safe to drink across the country, food safety is rigorously regulated, and the national vaccination programme is well established. Even so, there are seasonal patterns and emerging risks that people newly arrived in the country should be aware of.

In the UK, vaccine procurement and distribution is managed centrally, and vaccines on the recommended schedule are provided free through the NHS. If you are moving from overseas, it is worth comparing your vaccination history with the UK’s recommended schedule — your GP can identify any gaps and arrange catch-up immunisations as needed.

The NHS has described climate change as a “health emergency,” pointing to the effects of heatwaves, flooding, and storms on human health, as well as the expanding range of infectious diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis and vibriosis. Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks, is present in parts of the UK — notably rural and wooded areas of Scotland, the New Forest, and the South Downs. If you spend time in these environments, wearing appropriate clothing and checking for ticks after outdoor activities is strongly advised.

Seasonal influenza remains one of the heaviest infectious disease burdens each winter. In early 2025, an average of 5,408 patients per day were hospitalised with flu, including 256 in critical care — a figure 3.5 times higher than the equivalent week the previous year. The NHS offers a free annual flu vaccination to at-risk groups, including people aged over 65, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions.

Over time, the NHS has adapted to meet shifting health needs, including marked reductions in infectious diseases and the growing dominance of non-communicable conditions. Diseases such as typhoid, malaria, and dengue fever are not endemic to the UK. If you are travelling to or from countries where these are a concern, consult the Travel Health Pro (NaTHNaC) and your home country’s travel health authority for current guidance.

Air quality is an environmental health concern in certain parts of the UK, most notably large urban centres. Vehicle emissions can worsen symptoms in people living with asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular conditions. Up-to-date local air quality information, including daily forecasts, is available through the UK Air Information Resource (Defra).

Is smoking common in the UK, and what are the laws around it?

Smoking rates in the UK have fallen sharply over the past two decades and currently sit at their lowest recorded level. Public opinion has turned firmly against smoking, and the country’s regulatory framework is among the most stringent anywhere in the world.

In 2024, approximately 5.3 million adults aged 18 and over (10.6%) were current cigarette smokers in the UK — the lowest proportion recorded since the Annual Population Survey began tracking this figure in 2011. In England, 12.2% of men smoked compared with 8.7% of women. The Scottish Health Survey indicates that 14% of Scottish adults smoked in 2024, a rate noticeably above the UK-wide average.

Smoking has been prohibited in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland since 2007, under the Health Act 2006 and equivalent devolved legislation. This ban covers restaurants, bars, offices, shopping centres, public transport, and any enclosed place of work. The law is widely respected and actively enforced — comparable to, and in some respects stricter than, equivalent regulations across much of Europe.

A Tobacco and Vapes Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons on 26 November 2025. Members broadly backed its goal of phasing tobacco out of the lives of young people, and there was wide support for measures targeting youth vaping through restrictions on flavours, advertising, and sponsorship. The bill passed its second reading by 415 votes to 47. This legislation reflects the UK’s ambition to create a “smokefree generation” by progressively raising the minimum age at which tobacco can legally be sold. The current status of this bill can be checked at GOV.UK.

In 2024, around 5.4 million adults aged 16 and over (10.0%) in Great Britain reported currently using an e-cigarette — daily or occasionally — overtaking cigarette smoking in prevalence. Vaping is regulated but not subject to the same blanket indoor ban as smoking, though many venues have adopted voluntary no-vaping policies. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to introduce tighter regulation of vaping products, with a particular focus on discouraging uptake among younger people.

Is obesity or poor diet a significant health concern in the UK?

Obesity and diet-related illness rank among the most serious public health challenges confronting the UK at present. The problem cuts across all parts of the country but falls most heavily on communities experiencing higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage.

As of 2015, three key behavioural risk factors — smoking rates, alcohol consumption, and obesity — all sat above the OECD average. Obesity has trended upward in the UK since the 1970s, and the country is widely acknowledged to have higher obesity rates than many western European neighbours such as France, Italy, and Germany, though it is broadly in line with certain other high-income nations.

The growth in diabetes cases has closely tracked the rise in obesity. Type 2 diabetes is disproportionately prevalent in areas with higher proportions of adults living with obesity. Premature deaths from liver disease have also climbed steadily, reflecting patterns of alcohol use and excess weight.

The increase in diabetes is largely driven by lifestyle influences: poor nutrition, sedentary habits, and obesity. The traditional British diet has historically been high in processed food, sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Ultra-processed foods are widely available and inexpensive, and fast food plays a significant role in many people’s eating patterns, particularly in cities. That said, dietary habits differ considerably according to income, region, and cultural background.

The UK government has launched several public health initiatives aimed at addressing obesity, including: mandatory calorie labelling on menus at larger food businesses (introduced in 2022); restrictions on advertising unhealthy food and drink targeted at children; and the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme for people managing type 2 diabetes. A broader commitment has also been made to narrow the healthy life expectancy gap and raise healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035. For expats, the presence of fresh food markets, independent grocers, and a wide variety of international cuisines in larger cities means maintaining a healthy diet is very achievable.

What are the mental health attitudes and services like in the UK?

Mental health has become an increasingly open topic in the UK, with sustained public awareness campaigns over the past decade working to chip away at the stigma surrounding it. That said, cultural attitudes still vary between communities, and obtaining timely NHS treatment can be difficult.

Mental illness is among the most prevalent health concerns in the UK. According to 2024 data, one in four adults experiences a mental health condition in any given year, with anxiety and depression the most frequently reported. A 2017 survey found that 65% of people in Britain had experienced a mental health problem at some point, with 26% having had a panic attack and 42% having suffered from depression.

The disease burden attributable to mental illness — spanning anxiety, depression, panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder — has grown over the past 25 years. The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded this, leaving many individuals struggling with anxiety, isolation, and barriers to accessing support.

The NHS provides free mental health services, including talking therapies through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme — now operating under the name NHS Talking Therapies. In most areas of England, you can refer yourself to these services without first seeing a GP. However, waiting times for appointments across GP practices, community services, and mental health care have risen considerably, with millions awaiting treatment — a recognised pressure point within the NHS.

Private mental health provision is readily accessible and typically offers much shorter waiting times. Session fees for private therapy generally fall in the range of around £50 to £150 or more, depending on the therapist’s qualifications and location. Many UK employers offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that include a set number of free counselling sessions — it is worth asking your employer about this when you start a new job. Unlike some countries where mental health support is largely confined to hospital-based psychiatry, the UK has a broad network of community mental health teams, charitable organisations, and online resources.

Settling into a new country can itself trigger mental health difficulties, including feelings of isolation, homesickness, and the challenge of building meaningful social connections from scratch. Organisations such as Mind and the Samaritans (116 123, free and available around the clock) provide accessible support for anyone going through a difficult time.

Are there any health risks specific to expats living in the UK?

While the UK presents relatively few unusual health hazards, there are a number of practical health challenges that tend to affect people who have recently relocated here more than long-established residents. Being prepared for these from the start can ease your transition considerably.

Adjusting to the climate: The UK has a temperate maritime climate — mild but frequently damp, overcast, and grey, especially through autumn and winter. Those arriving from sunnier parts of the world may be susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression triggered by reduced exposure to daylight. Common symptoms include persistent low mood, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Light therapy lamps, regular outdoor activity, and medical treatment where appropriate are all recognised approaches. Vitamin D deficiency is also widespread in the UK population due to limited sunlight, and the NHS advises all adults to consider a daily Vitamin D supplement through the autumn and winter months.

Registering with a GP: Signing up with a local NHS General Practitioner (GP) is one of the single most important actions you can take shortly after arriving. Registration costs nothing and unlocks access to the full range of NHS services. UK citizenship or indefinite leave to remain are not prerequisites — the majority of residents, including those on visas, have the right to register. Use the GP search function at NHS.uk to locate a practice near you.

NHS entitlement: Your right to free NHS treatment is determined by your immigration status and whether you are considered “ordinarily resident” in the UK. Most visa holders pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application, granting them access to NHS services on the same basis as UK residents. Confirm your entitlement via GOV.UK and verify the current IHS fee, as it is periodically revised.

Routine health screenings: Expats should make sure they are current with standard health checks. The NHS runs free cancer screening programmes (for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer) as well as cardiovascular checks for eligible adults. After registering with a GP, you should begin receiving invitations to participate in relevant programmes. If you manage a pre-existing condition with medication from your home country, arranging an early review with your UK GP is important, as drug names, formulations, and prescribing guidance can differ.

Mental health and social isolation: As discussed earlier, adapting to life in an unfamiliar country can present its own mental health challenges. Expat communities and international social groups exist in most UK cities, and many workplaces provide wellbeing support. Making an effort to build connections in your local community early on is one of the most effective steps you can take to safeguard your mental health.

Where can expats find reliable health information and services in the UK?

Getting to grips with a new healthcare system can feel overwhelming, but an excellent range of official and practical resources exists to guide you through it.

• NHS.uk: The official online home of the National Health Service is the UK’s most authoritative source of health information. The site attracted 701 million visits in 2024, with people turning to it for guidance on conditions, treatments, medicines, and how to navigate NHS services. It also allows you to search for GPs, dentists, pharmacies, and hospitals in your area.
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): The UKHSA works to safeguard communities from infectious disease and environmental health threats. It publishes current information on disease outbreaks, vaccination recommendations, and health alerts across the UK.
• Travel Health Pro (NaTHNaC): A valuable resource both for planning your move to the UK and for any international travel you undertake while based here. Provides country-by-country health and vaccination guidance.
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID): Publishes public health statistics and analysis, including local authority-level data on smoking, obesity, and disease prevalence.
• Office for National Statistics (ONS): The definitive source for UK population health data, covering life expectancy, mortality by cause, and major health surveys.
• Mind: One of the UK’s leading mental health charities, offering information, guidance, and signposting to local services. Particularly useful for expats who are unfamiliar with the UK’s mental health landscape.
• Samaritans: A free, confidential, around-the-clock listening service available by calling 116 123. Open to anyone who needs to talk, regardless of visa status or nationality.

Health guidance, vaccination requirements, visa-related healthcare entitlements, and NHS service structures are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with official sources — particularly the NHS, UKHSA, and GOV.UK — both before you relocate and after you arrive, as policies may have been updated since any article (including this one) was published.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Issues in the United Kingdom

Can I use the NHS as an expat in the UK?

In most cases, yes. If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to access NHS services on broadly the same terms as UK residents. This covers GP consultations, hospital care, and mental health services. Certain categories of visa holder and short-term visitors may face more limited entitlements. Check your individual situation on GOV.UK before and after you arrive, as the rules and surcharge amounts are liable to change.

What vaccinations do I need before moving to the UK?

No vaccinations are a prerequisite for entering the UK. It is sensible, however, to ensure your routine immunisations — such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus, and diphtheria — are up to date before you travel. Once you have registered with a UK GP, you can have your vaccination record reviewed and receive any required catch-up doses through the NHS at no cost. Consult both your home country’s health authority and Travel Health Pro for the latest advice.

Is the tap water safe to drink in the UK?

Yes. Tap water across the UK is treated to stringent standards and is safe to drink throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is overseen by regulatory bodies including the Drinking Water Inspectorate in England and Wales. There is no need to routinely buy bottled water for everyday drinking.

What is the most common cause of death in the UK?

Cardiovascular diseases — including heart disease and stroke — and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the UK, together accounting for a large proportion of all mortality. The Office for National Statistics recorded 149,083 cancer deaths in the UK in 2022. Dementia and respiratory conditions are also among the principal causes. The most current mortality data can be found on the ONS website and the WHO’s UK country profile.

Is mental health care available to expats through the NHS?

Yes. Provided you are entitled to NHS care — which most visa holders who have paid the IHS are — you can access NHS mental health services, including free talking therapies through NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT). Self-referral is possible in most parts of England without needing to go through a GP first. Given that waiting times can be lengthy for more specialist care, private therapy is a practical option for those who need quicker access. The Samaritans (116 123) are available free of charge, 24 hours a day, for anyone in distress.

How does the UK’s approach to mental health compare to other countries?

The UK operates a publicly funded mental health system embedded within the NHS — a model that distinguishes it from countries where mental health care relies predominantly on private funding and insurance. The country has an established network of community mental health teams and talking therapy services that goes beyond what is available in some other nations. However, the gap between demand and capacity is well documented, and waiting times for NHS mental health care remain a significant challenge. Private provision is widely accessible for those who wish to supplement or bypass NHS waiting lists.

Does the UK have a problem with air pollution?

Air quality varies considerably across the UK. In major cities — London in particular — pollution levels, largely driven by road traffic emissions, can rise to elevated levels during certain periods. People with asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular conditions may experience worsening symptoms at such times. Live air quality data and daily forecasts are accessible through Defra’s UK Air Information Resource. In many areas outside major cities, air quality is well within recommended limits.

How do I find a GP (family doctor) after arriving in the UK?

Registering with a local NHS GP should be one of your first steps after arriving in the country. The NHS website’s GP finder tool lets you search for practices that are accepting new patients in your area. Registration is free, and you are not required to provide proof of immigration status or a fixed address, though a practice may ask for some form of identification. Once registered, you gain access to the full suite of NHS primary care services, including referrals to specialists and prescription services — though note that a prescription charge currently applies in England; check GOV.UK for the current fee and any applicable exemptions.