The rich go longer without disability

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LONDON, May 16 (UPI) -- Children born in the least deprived areas of Britain can expect to live an average 7.8 years longer than their poorer counterparts, officials say.

Analysts at the Office for National Statistics in Britain compared the healthy life expectancy for those who turned 65 in different areas between 2002 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009.

The study found both men and women who retired in 2006 to 2009 in the least deprived areas could expect an average of another 12.6 years of disability free life expectancy -- up 6 percent from their counterparts in 2002 to 2005, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Women's healthy life expectancy after age 65 fell from 8.5 years to 8.2 years in poor areas but rose from 12 years to 12.6 years in well-off areas during the two time periods.

"In part this might be influenced through the operation of an 'inverse care law' where the benefits of health programs accrue to the more advantaged groups who have awareness and knowledge of how to use the system and the reach of public services can be weaker in disadvantaged areas," the analysts said in the report.