Public Health England have released new data that reveals for the first time that people severely affected by mental illness are 4.5 times more likely to die before the age of 75, with significant regional variations.

Lucy Schonegevel, Deputy Associate Director of Campaigns and Policy at Rethink Mental Illness said:

"People who were referred to secondary mental health services within the previous five years were more likely to experience poor physical health than the general population, with a higher chance of conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. In significant part this is because they do not get the help they need to prevent and treat physical illness.

"So while many people severely affected by mental illness will live long and happy lives with the right care and support, these figures show that we do need to see a sustained effort by health professionals to ensure that they are treating the full needs of people severely affected by mental illness. This should include the yearly provision of Physical Health Checks."

Read the full report on the Public Health England site.