This summer, the Patients Association supported the launch of the Make Health Equal campaign, organised by Health Equals.

The campaign is about starting a conversation that recognises the importance of factors such as where you live, the work you do, and if your home is warm and safe, and how they affect your health. 

Depending on where you live, your life expectancy could be as much as 16 years’ shorter than someone who lives in a different part of the country. 

Health inequalities

The Patients Association supports Make Health Equal and Health Equals because for many years, we have been concerned by health inequalities that are rooted in factors many people have little control over. This is the focus of the Make Health Equal campaign too. 

And the public support this approach too. This summer, just before the general election, we asked the public about their experiences of healthcare and what their priorities were for the next Government. 

Seven out of ten supported a health-in-all policies approach to prioritise public health, making it clear that the public understand the impact of governmental policies on health extends well beyond the Department of Health and Social Care.

A health-in-all policies approach is more pressing than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and years of cuts to public health spending have exposed and widened health inequalities. These factors have exacerbated health disparities and negatively affected patient outcomes.

Our survey highlighted regional variations in how well people feel equipped to manage their health. Respondents in Scotland felt best informed about self-care, followed by those in Northern Ireland, with the North West of England trailing behind. 

Differences

These differences underline the need for a coordinated, nationwide approach that ensures people across the UK have access to safe and effective care, and the necessary information and resources to maintain good health.

A health-in-all policies approach recognises that health is influenced by factors beyond traditional healthcare, including education, income, housing, and geography. That’s why it’s critical that policymaking across all government departments fosters a more comprehensive and effective approach to the nation’s health. 

Find out more about the Make Health Equal campaign and what your life expectancy is based on where you live.
Read the findings from this summer’s survey from the Patients Association into patients experiences of healthcare and their priorities.