Case made for cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities

Real life stories of how people’s health is damaged by social factors such as poor housing are being highlighted by nearly 200 organisations calling for a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities.

The position paper sees more than 90 senior representatives of the Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA) write to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for an explicit cross-government health inequalities strategy, with clear measurable goals, that considers the role of every department and every available policy lever in tackling health disparities.

The IHA says it has been ‘encouraged’ by commitments such as the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, the government’s levelling up agenda and the cross-government ministerial board on prevention which all hold ‘great potential to be the catalyst we need to tackle health inequalities’. In the letter, the IHA asks for this work to be underpinned and strengthened with a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities that is led by, and accountable to, the Prime Minister.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, health inequalities were estimated to cost the UK between £31 billion and £33 billion each year in lost productivity and £20 billion to £32 billion in lost tax revenue and higher benefit payments. These costs to the public purse will continue to grow without action, whereas tackling the causes of health inequalities would not only enable more people to live longer and healthier lives but also reduce future pressures on the NHS. The IHA wants recovery from coronavirus to be a turning point for the health of the nation.

Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, says: “Covid-19 acted as a flag to unite behind. Now that we are emerging from the worst phases of the pandemic, we need a new flag. Reducing health inequalities is that flag because they have never been as big in modern times and the need to reduce them never more apparent.”

Formed in October 2020, members of the IHA represent patients, doctors, nurses, social care professionals, pharmacists, local authorities and others, who have heard countless stories about the impact of non-clinical factors on the health of people across the country.