The CIEH has welcomed recommendations that could see strengthening the role of ill health prevention in local authorities, following publication of a government report on health inequalities.
Fair Society Healthy Lives by Sir Michael Marmot concludes that councils should be playing a bigger role in reducing health inequalities between the rich and poor. The report states that authorities have been ‘reticent’ in taking action because the NHS has been viewed as the lead agency.
Endorsing the call, CIEH Director of Policy Tim Everett said:
“The publication shows just how far we still have to go in the UK. People in poorer neighbourhoods have shorter lives and are unwell for longer.
“The CIEH welcomes the report and endorses the six policy objectives - particularly that of strengthening the role of ill health prevention.
“We have long argued that dealing with the social determinants of health are important - and as NICE have said - public health measures are better value in the long run than clinical ones.”
The review reveals that people living in the poorest neighbourhoods in England die on average seven years earlier than people in the richest neighbourhoods. The poorest also spend more of their lives with disabilities – an average total difference of 17 years.
These inequities cost the NHS £5.5 billion per year. The economy looses £31-33 billion in lost productivity and £20-32 billion per year in lower revenues and higher welfare payments.
Sir Michael Marmot said:
“Local councils have the power to secure the economic, environmental and social well-being of the local population. They are therefore in a key position to mobilise action to tackle health inequalities and improve well-being.”
The review calls for minimum incomes, early intervention and healthier environments.