IHA urges new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to recommit to Health Disparities White Paper

The Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA), a group of over 200 organisations, has written to Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to urge her to maintain the promise of publishing the Health Disparities White Paper by the end of this year, with a clear commitment to cross-government action, including a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities.

The letter sets out of the health inequalities that were exacerbated by the pandemic now risk being further engrained if bold, ambitious action is not taken, and urges the Government to recognise health inequalities as a priority.

To prevent ill health in the first place, the group of leading health organisations are calling for action on issues such as poor housing, lack of educational opportunity, child poverty, the commercial determinants of health (such as the availability of tobacco and marketing of alcohol), communities and place, employment, racism and discrimination, transport, and air pollution. Without coordinated cross-government action on these issues, the DHSC and NHS will continue to be in the ultimately unsustainable position of trying to treat illnesses created by the environments people live in.

The cost of living crisis emphasises that our health is a product of our environment

Research by the Royal College of Physicians found:

• 55% of people felt their health had been negatively affected by the rising cost of living
• the increasing costs of heating (84%), food (78%) and transport (46%) reported as the top three factors to negatively affect health
• over two thirds of Brits (69%) feel more worried about their ability to stay warm and healthy at home this winter compared to last winter.

The rising cost of living is likely to widen the healthcare inequality gap, increasing unfair and avoidable differences in health and access to healthcare across the population.

 87% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) told us earlier this year that they were worried about the cost of living, with 1 in 3 missing hospital appointments due to cost and 1 in 3 running out of food before they have money to buy more. A warm home, healthy diet, medication, and regular health checks are vital to staying well with CF – but these things all come with a cost. Our Cost of CF report recommends policies that we believe will help address the issues our community have identified and ensure people with cystic fibrosis can truly live a life unlimited by their condition.

Read the full letter

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,900 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.

We provide a range of grants for people with cystic fibrosis and their families, support for those applying for benefits and information about prescription charges. You can find out more about the financial support we offer here.

Read more about our Cost of CF report and what we’re calling for