A study of more than 8,000 people born since 1946 found the issues were most stark when it came to obesity and mental health.

For several outcomes – particularly obesity, mental ill health and diabetes -“prevalence of poor health was higher in more recent generations”.

The team said: “Long-term declines in mortality and fertility mean that by 2050, one quarter of the British population will be aged 65 and over, with considerable implications for future demand for health and social care and also for the economy.

“Ensuring that more recently born cohorts both live longer and do so in good health is important for facing the challenges of population ageing.”

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The team examined changes in physical and mental health across the generations born between 1946 and 2000–02.

A statement from the team said: “While several mechanisms could explain the generational health drift, evidence from the British birth cohorts suggests that more recent cohorts are experiencing an earlier onset of poor health for several outcomes, particularly obesity and mental ill health.

“If more recent generations are ‘drifting’ backwards in health, it implies that society is not reaching the biological limits of health improvement but rather seeing the consequences of preventable social and environmental exposures that have shaped population health over time and across generations.

“The generational health drift has serious implications for policy, planning and the funding allocations needed to be able to support a greater number of people living with chronic health conditions.”

Wallingford Beach, known locally as Sandy Bay due to the stretch of sand on the river bank next to Wallingford Bridge, was designated as a bathing place in 2024.

This means the Environment Agency must take weekly water samples from the site during the warmer months, from May 15 to September 10, and test them for two types of bacteria which can cause serious illness.

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The results are published within a few days of each test, on a dedicated page online, but many have said they wouldn’t go for a splash even with the bacteria levels being monitored.

One anonymous local said: “I wouldn’t let my dog swim in the river, let alone human members of my family.”

Wallingford Beach was one of just two inland river bathing sites in the country to be rated ‘sufficient’ last season, an improvement on its first ever rating of ‘poor’ in 2024.

Wallingford Beach on the River Thames (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

But would-be river users aren’t impressed with the rating.

Another anonymous person commented: “Seriously we need to clean up the rivers. How can a council have a bathing area on the Thames? The river is basically an open sewer.”

It comes after Channel 4 documentary Dirty Business revealed the scale of sewage pollution in waterways in Oxfordshire, based on the work of the campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution.

Oxfordshire county councillor for Wallingford, James Barlow (Green), said while he still swims it is ‘disgraceful’ that measures have to be taken to avoid getting ill.

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Mr Barlow said: “There are many stretches of the Thames that are clean enough for bathing.

“For us in Wallingford, Bathing Water Status offers not just regular testing but also the legal mechanisms to force Thames Water to clean up its act to make Wallingford Beach consistently clean enough to swim in, by, for example potentially installing further treatment operations at Benson Sewage Treatment Works which would likely lead to improvements.

Oxfordshire County Councillor James Barlow (Image: GARETH CLARK)

“Along with others, I have been regularly and safely swimming in the Thames at Wallingford, year-round, for years, and continue to do so. I understand residents’ scepticism about swimming at Wallingford Beach.

“That the bathing water quality is officially only ‘sufficient’ is a real cause for concern – the impact on nature, including humans is unacceptable.

“As a result, we take sensible precautions – like showering afterwards and not putting our faces in the water. It is disgraceful that we need to do this.”

The councillor added that he, amongst many others, continues to campaign for the Government to force companies like Thames Water to clean up its act and would see the water companies brought back into public ownership.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Last year, Wallingford Beach was rated ‘sufficient’ in the Bathing Water Quality report, one of only two inland river bathing sites in the country to receive this designation.

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“There were no storm overflows from Thames Water sites within 5km of Wallingford Beach during the last bathing season. 

“We are always committed to seeing waterways thrive, but we can’t do it alone. Farming, industry, road runoff, and increasingly extreme weather also play a role in river health. 

“We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency and local partners to understand where improvements to our assets might be required in future, so that communities can continue to enjoy the bathing water.”

The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home (CDCH) has taken in 68 cats since the start of 2026—an average of four per week.

With waiting lists at capacity, the charity is now making an urgent appeal for public donations to help provide emergency care, veterinary treatment, shelter, and daily support for the growing number of arrivals.

Sam Herniman, a representative of CDCH, said: “Behind these shocking statistics are the faces of vulnerable animals, each a precious life in urgent need of care.

“This kitten season will be one of the busiest we’ve ever faced and we’re calling on animal lovers to join forces and donate, so together we can be there for every cat and kitten that needs us.”

The charity is currently caring for four litters of kittens (Image: The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home)

The centre is currently caring for four litters of kittens, including six-week-old strays Walter and Jesse. Frankie and Otis are undergoing treatment for painful eye infections.

Other cats include May, a stray mother raising newborn kittens June, July, and August.

Wilma, a two-year-old mother, arrived with a kitten from a previous litter and has since given birth to five more.

The surge in abandoned cats reflects a nationwide trend, with organisations like the RSPCA reporting a rise in pet abandonments since 2021 due to post-pandemic challenges and the cost-of-living crisis.

CDCH is also using the appeal to highlight the importance of neutering as a long-term solution to reducing unwanted litters and easing the strain on rescue centres.