In West Yorkshire, economic inactivity due to long-term sickness is expected to increase to 7.3% (108,635 people) in 2025.
- 51% are aged 50 to 64.
- 42% are aged 25 to 49 years.
- 7% are aged 16 to 24 years. The largest growing age group of people who are economically inactive due to long term sickness is the 16- to 24-year-olds.
Co-morbidities are prevalent:
- 38% of people reported having five or more conditions.
- 25% of those aged 16 to 34 years reported five or more health conditions.
- Almost 50% aged 50 to 64 years reported five or more health conditions.
Long-term sickness is devastating to people’s work life:
- More than one year, only 3% return to work
- Less than a year, 17% return to work.
- Of those employed with work limiting conditions, 10% become economically inactive.
A proportion of the funding will be directed to supporting health and care workers who are at risk of becoming economically inactive – having to leave their jobs because of their own ill-health.
These are the people who will support the wider population to stay healthy or return to health, so we need them to be well.