Health Inequalities Resources

Broad definition of health inequalities:

Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health status between groups of people or communities. They arise because of the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These conditions influence a person’s opportunities for good health and affect how an individual thinks, feels and acts. Together these shape their health and wellbeing.

There is a clear social gradient in health. This means that people in disadvantaged groups often die sooner and spend more years living with disabilities. While we should aim to reduce health inequalities across all society, actions must be focused and increased in proportion to the level of disadvantage. Improving the lives of those with the worst health, fastest.

Reducing health inequalities is a matter of fairness and social justice. Everyone deserves the same opportunities to lead a healthy life, no matter where they live or who they are.

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