Eight case studies of projects funded by People’s Health Trust are featured in new report on health inequalities in England, published today.
Published in 2010, The Marmot Review was a landmark study of health inequalities in England. The report stated unequivocally that the fundamental causes of health inequalities were political (unequal policies and wealth) and environmental impacts (work, learning, access to services, housing etc.).
The UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE) and The Health Foundation have today published a new report on the ten-year anniversary of the original review to examine how health inequalities have changed and what progress has been made on tackling the social determinants of health. The report has found life expectancy in England has stalled, which has not happened since at least 1900 and that investing in the wider conditions in which we live is the most effective way to improve a nation’s health.
We are delighted that eight projects funded by People’s Health Trust are featured in the report as examples of the positive action in tackling health inequalities over the past ten years. The case studies featured include five from the Trust’s shorter term Active Communities funding programme and three from the longer term Local Conversations funding programme. They demonstrate the importance of resident-led approaches and the role of social connections, and individual and collective control as foundations to good health. There are also some important examples of how people can use their collective power, knowledge and experience to influence change locally, which can support a shift in the underlying structural causes of health inequalities. 81% of residents participating in Local Conversations feel that ‘when people in this area get involved in their community, they can really change the way that their area is run’, compared with an England average of 50%.
John Hume, Chief Executive of People’s Health Trust, said, “This hugely important report demonstrates that health inequalities are widening and life expectancy is stalling. These findings are fuelled by differences in wealth and the conditions into which people are born and live. We’re delighted that projects we fund have been included in this report as examples of positive action in tackling health inequalities. Social connections and collective control both have strong evidence bases as being protective for health. They are also critical foundations for supporting local people to play a very active role in addressing the social determinants of health within their neighbourhoods.
“The ultimate responsibility for health inequalities and the social determinants which cause them, rests with the Government, so whilst the third sector can play its part, there needs to be clear and decisive action from the Government to stop this alarming trend.”
For more information, or details on the case studies, please contact Sophia.Walker@peopleshealthtrust.org.uk
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Notes for Editors:
People's Health Trust is an independent charity investing in local communities to help create a society without health inequalities. It works closely with 12 Community Interest Companies raising money through The Health Lottery and distributing grants. www.peopleshealthtrust.org.uk
Active Communities is a funding programme for local people with great ideas about how to help create fairer places to grow, live, work and age well.
Local Conversations is a funding programme that enables people to have voice, control and influence over things that matter to them locally.
The Collaboration for Wellbeing and Health is a group of ten organisations working to build a collaborative initiative capable of taking multi-level, cross-sector action to address the wider determinants of health in the UK. This is a partnership facilitated by The Health Foundation including People’s Health Trust and The UCL Institute of Health Equity https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-partnerships/our-partnerships/the-collaboration-for-wellbeing-and-health
The Health Lottery is an independent British lottery scheme. It manages 10 regional and two country lotteries across Great Britain. Each month, the money raised is allocated to one of those areas in rotation. This means that across the year, every area of England, Scotland and Wales gets a share of the funds raised. The 12 lotteries are run for one specific purpose: tackling health inequalities in their respective areas.
Over £112 million has been raised so far. Every £1 ticket bought helps raise even more.
Each of the 12 lotteries is licensed by the Gambling Commission.
