Health inequalities are systematic differences in health between different groups of the population. They are also avoidable. Experience of health inequality is dependent on several, intersectional factors including income, geography, and characteristics, for example ethnicity or sexuality. Across a lifetime, inequalities affect an individual’s risk of disease, access to and experiences of healthcare and ultimately life expectancy and number of years spent in good health.

While Covid-19 has both exacerbated and shone a light on health inequalities, the issue is not new. Health inequality has been embedded in society for a long time. However, in recent years, life expectancy has stalled and the gap between the richest and poorest has increased, with those in the least deprived areas experiencing 20 years longer in good health then the most deprived.

With political and public attention increasing on health inequality, the government has responded. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) was established as part of the Department of Health and Social Care in October 2021. The new office has a role in prevention, identifying inequality and targeting those worst affected. The office is positioned to work with the NHS and local authorities, as well as across government, communities, industries, and employers to create meaningful local and national change.

This roundtable event will describe the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities strategy for meeting the challenges in identifying and reversing health inequalities. Speakers will discuss the evidence base for addressing inequality, the challenge in making health inequalities a priority for all and examples of good practise and collaboration.

This roundtable event will be Chaired by Labour MP for Blaydon and former Head of Health of UNISON, Ms Liz Twist MP.

Speakers include:

Maggie Throup MP - Minister for Public Health and Vaccines

Andrew Goddard - President of the Royal College of Physicians

Professor Taylor David-Robinson - Professor of Public Health and Policy at the University of Liverpool and co-lead of N8/NHSA Child of the North initiative.

For more information, please contact jasmin.adebisi [at] policyconnect.org.uk