The Government is being urged to introduce a national health inequalities strategy to tackle England’s widening health gap, in a new report from the LGA.
The report, ‘Building fairer towns, cities, and regions: insights from Marmot Places’, was launched at the LGA’s Smith Square Debate on ‘Health inequalities – can councils close the gap?’ earlier this month.
The call comes as councils continue to lead the way in tackling health inequalities at a local level.
The report features innovative case studies from ‘Marmot Places’ – areas that have endorsed the approach of the independent Marmot Review into health inequalities, which is grounded in addressing the social determinants of health, such as housing, employment and education.
With more than 50 such areas across England, Wales and Scotland, councils are already demonstrating how collaborative, community-focused initiatives can deliver meaningful change.
The report also underlines the need for national leadership to mirror and support local efforts, given the scale of health inequalities and previous studies warning of the widening health inequality gap.
For example, figures from the King’s Fund showed that, in 2020-22, healthy life expectancy in the North East was almost seven years shorter for males, and six years shorter for females, compared with the South East.
Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair, said: “The Marmot Places report is a powerful reminder of what local government and its partners can achieve when they commit to tackling health inequalities.
“Across the country, councils are working tirelessly to incorporate fairness into housing, employment and public health initiatives, often in the face of significant challenges.
“But local action alone cannot close the widening health inequality gap.
“We urgently need a national health inequalities strategy that builds on the excellent progress councils have made.
“With national and local leadership working together, we can create a society where everyone, regardless of their background or postcode, has the opportunity to thrive.”
- See also ‘Marmot places’.