A NEW coalition of nearly 80 organisations, including the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, has been launched to press for urgent action to address health inequalities.
The Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA), which was brought together by the Royal College of Physicians of London, is calling for a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities – unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society.
Health inequalities, which may involve differences in access to health care or the standards of care available, can damage quality of life and even shorten life expectancy.
Research commissioned for the launch of the IHA shows widespread concern over health inequalities and overwhelming support for action.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed by Yonder felt that governments across the UK – including the Scottish Government – should be doing more to address the issue and 81% agreed (52% strongly) that there should be a UK Government strategy to reduce inequalities in health.
The IHA says there are many causes of health inequalities but deprivation was found to be a key factor. Of those surveyed, 78% agreed (50% strongly) that all parts of government in each part of the UK should have to consider the impact of their policies on people who are less well off.
The IHA has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson noting that the UK Government has been focused on responding to the pandemic but pointing out that, with its impact felt differently by different communities, Covid-19 has exposed how health inequalities can have an impact not just over a lifetime, but a matter of weeks. It says the second wave of the virus is hitting those already most disadvantaged in our society.
As well as calling on the Prime Minister to develop a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities, the IHA wants the UK Government to use the socio-economic duty, section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, to address health inequalities and to adopt a “child health in all policies” approach.
Professor Angela Thomas (pictured), president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said: “We are deeply concerned by the impact the pandemic is already having on the economy in Scotland and across the UK, which is in turn affecting some of the most economically vulnerable groups – such as those on low incomes and workers under the age of 25.
“We know the UK has experienced a sharp increase in new claims for Universal Credit since the pandemic began for example, and we fear that a fall in household incomes could make existing debt more of a challenge for some families, particularly where debt repayments already absorb a significant share of household income.
“With the potential for more household borrowing too, adding to existing debt built up during austerity, we are concerned that the pandemic could make the poorest households poorer. We know that the most deprived parts of the UK also have the poorest health, so we would encourage cross-government action as a matter of urgency”.
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