LGA responds to IPPR report on disparity and health inequalities

19 Oct 2021 09:58 AM

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to an IPPR report on how there could be a three-year boost to healthy life expectancy in England if the ‘disease of disparity’ is overcome 

“This report adds to the stark evidence, highlighted by the pandemic, about what keeps people healthy and what else needs to be done to spend more years in good health.

“It is vital we act now and drive forward programmes which prevent people becoming ill and to live healthier lives, including investing in various council services such as tackling unemployment, providing better housing and promoting access to green space.  

“Councils are doing all they can to help keep people healthy throughout their lives and reduce pressure on the health service and social care. Investment in councils’ public health services now will also reap benefits for everyone longer-term, including for the NHS and other public services.

“The upcoming Spending Review is an opportunity to realise this shared ambition with government, to level up the future health chances of our communities and build back better from the pandemic.”

The disease of disparity: A blueprint to make progress on health inequalities in England