Health inequalities – and our role in public health Authors: Dr Nicky Eddison and Dr Ros Leslie Trust: RWT Health inequalities are ‘unfair and avoidable differences in health across populations and between different groups within society. Inequalities in health have been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic which has taken a disproportionate toll on our most vulnerable groups, including some ethnic minority communities and people living in the most deprived areas. The concept of equity in health has been examined and wider determinants of health identified, including concepts such as 1) general socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions; 2) living and working conditions; 3) social and community networks; 4) lifestyle factors; and 5) individual factors such as age, sex, and constitution. Health inequalities are complex and challenging. In 2008 a commissioned review recommended that reducing health inequalities would require action and specific policy objectives, since then health and health inequality has generally worsened5. This lack of equality matters, as some of the people most at risk of experiencing health inequalities are also often those who find it the hardest to access high-quality support . T ackling these inequalities is of paramount importance for public health.
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