Programme 1: Health Inequalities

Internationally, nationally and regionally, there are inequalities in areas of deprivation, with health and wellbeing adversely affected. This has disproportionately affected and exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Prior to the pandemic, the health of the population in England had significantly deteriorated and health inequalities widened in the previous decade. The findings of the 2020 Marmot review ‘Health Equity in England’ reported that life expectancy had stalled in the previous decade for the first time in nearly one hundred years. 

In England, health inequalities are often analysed and addressed by policy across four factors:

• Socio-economic factors, for example, income
• Geography, e.g. region or urban, rural, or coastal settings
• Specific characteristics including those protected in law, such as sex, BAME or disability  
• Socially excluded groups, e.g. people experiencing homelessness.

All these factors can impact on inequalities, affecting health and wellbeing, especially in populations with lower socio-economic standing and protected characteristics. In areas of deprivation, inequalities have been exacerbated and disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Action is needed to scale up, accelerate interventions and support to improve health outcomes. The Institute is working collaboratively with external partners on research and knowledge exchange projects to:

• Address the importance of health inequalities in both the response and recovery from Covid-19
• Use data intelligence and evidence to understand the natural and unintended consequences of the pandemic and the impact on health inequalities
• Supporting communities and third sector organisations to develop an asset-based community approach for recovery, with residents as active participants
• Use evidence to inform recommendations to prevent and mitigate health inequalities as part of the Covid -19 pandemic.