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King’s Fund calls for political will and practical steps to tackle health inequalities

The time has come for co-ordinated national and local action to reduce widening inequalities in health, according to the latest King’s Fund report Tackling inequalities in health.

Radical changes to economic and social policies, as well as improved access to health care, are needed to create the chance of a healthy life for everyone, says the report.

Writing in the foreword, former chief medical officer Sir Donald Acheson says: ‘We now see that any successful effort to reduce inequalities in health must be based on a broad range of actions involving almost every aspect of society.’

He adds: ‘At present, sadly, there is little evidence that any of the parties sees inequalities in health as a priority issue.’

The report sets out the established evidence on health inequality in the UK and examines key policy options which would help to reduce them. It argues that there are a range of well-researched interventions which are practical and affordable steps for any government committed to reducing inequalities.

These include investment in housing and community regeneration, help for owner-occupiers on low incomes, changes to tax and benefit rules, a ban on tobacco advertising, and improvement in the provision of childcare services.

‘Social inequalities in health are amenable to purposeful policy interventions’, say the report’s authors. ‘What is needed is a determined effort to mobilise the political will to create a fairer society.’

Tackling inequalities in health. King’s Fund, 126 Albert Street, London NW1 7NF. 0171-727 0581