Why do health inequalities matter?

“People in England’s most deprived neighbourhoods work longer hours than those in the rest of the country but live shorter lives with more years in ill health costing an estimated £29.8bn a year to the economy in lost productivity.”

(Source: The cost of inequality: Putting a price on health)

You will have your own reasons for why health inequalities matter to you; evidence says…

They are unfair and avoidable

Health inequalities go against the principles of social justice because they are avoidable. They do not occur randomly or by chance. They are socially determined by circumstances largely beyond an individual’s control. These circumstances disadvantage people and limit their chance to live longer, healthier lives.

The existence of health inequalities means that the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is not being enjoyed equally across the population.

“Estimates in the 2010 Marmot Review suggested that health inequalities cost the UK £31–33 billion a year in lost productivity and £20–32 billion a year in lost tax revenue and higher benefit payments.”

They are costly

This includes costs associated with:

• Premature death and disability
• Days of work lost
• Direct cost to the healthcare system
• According to research, more equality creates stronger societies, and individuals across the social gradient benefit from more equal societies (source: Mutual Responsibilities study)

Males living in the most deprived areas of Gloucestershire have a life expectancy 7.6 years lower than those in the most affluent areas. For females the difference is 5.8 years. (Based on data for the period 2018-20).