According to recent research by a prominent public health expert in the UK, over 1 million individuals in England passed away early due to a combination of poverty, austerity measures, and the Covid pandemic in the decade following 2011. The findings have been described as “shocking.”
A recent study conducted by Sir Michael Marmot and the Institute of Health Equity at University College London has unveiled statistics showing that significant economic and social disparities have resulted in a higher mortality rate among disadvantaged individuals from diseases such as cancer and heart issues.
Based on data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, Prof Peter Goldblatt, the author of the report, examined the average lifespan of individuals residing in England’s bottom 90% of regions.
The study, named “Disparities in Health, Lives Lost,” discovered that from 2011 to 2019, 1,062,334 individuals passed away prematurely compared to those living in regions where the wealthiest 10% of residents reside. An additional 151,615 untimely deaths were reported in 2020, with a higher than anticipated number due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goldblatt linked 148,000 deaths to the austerity measures enacted by the coalition government in 2010 by comparing them to previous levels.
The author of a significant analysis on health disparities in the UK in 2010, known as Marmot, expressed grave concern over the rising number of premature deaths and increasing inequalities. He implored political leaders to take action in addressing the reality that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are disproportionately affected by and succumb to illnesses, often due to poverty, inadequate housing, and joblessness.
He stated that the occurrence of one million premature deaths, exacerbated by austerity measures, is a glaring failure of politics. The significant disparity in health between the least and most privileged segments of society highlights how health inequalities affect the majority of the population.
The UK serves as a prime example of what not to do in order to decrease health disparities. The USA is the only other developed nation with a declining life expectancy.
The current state of our nation is marked by poverty and poor health, with a small percentage of wealthy and healthy individuals. While people may value their health, it is declining and their lifespans are decreasing due to circumstances beyond their control. The decision to prioritize the well-being of all citizens lies with our political leaders, but at present, they are not doing so.
Cancer Research UK’s analysis suggests that approximately 33,000 additional cases of cancer occur annually in the UK due to poverty, and women from the most impoverished areas of England have a life expectancy five years shorter than those from more affluent areas. Furthermore, individuals of black and Asian descent faced a higher likelihood of succumbing to the coronavirus during the pandemic compared to their white counterparts.
Earlier studies have demonstrated that the policies implemented by the Labour administrations from 1997 to 2010, which targeted early childhood and education, were starting to alleviate stark health disparities. A significant portion of these efforts were guided by the English health inequalities strategy, a multifaceted plan that involved various government entities. Research has revealed that this specific strategy was linked to a decrease in regional inequalities in terms of differences in life expectancy, which counteracted a previous upward trend.
Yet, following its conclusion in 2010, which aligned with the implementation of economic restraint measures, disparities in health started to rise once more. The 2020 publication by the institute titled “Health Equity in England: the Marmot Review 10 Years On” revealed that advancements in life expectancy had reached a standstill, notably in the most disadvantaged regions, and had even regressed for women residing in the bottom 10% of areas.
The research revealed that the disparity between the top and bottom 10% of underprivileged areas resulted in an additional 28,000 deaths during the pandemic, compared to the average of the past five years.
According to the report, the UK’s “healthy life years” have declined compared to other European Union nations in recent years. In 2014, the average number of healthy years for men and women in the UK was higher than that of the EU. However, by 2017, it had plateaued for men and decreased for women, while the EU saw an increase of two years for both genders.
The shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, stated that the goal of the upcoming Labour government would be to create a more equitable Britain where all individuals can enjoy a longer life.
Streeting stated that the previous Labour administration not only achieved record low NHS waiting lists and high levels of patient satisfaction, but also addressed the underlying societal factors that impact health and reduced health inequalities. However, after fourteen years of Conservative rule, the state of the NHS is in disarray and our society is becoming increasingly unhealthy, resulting in dire consequences for individuals.
“Your place of birth and the conditions you are born into should not determine your lifespan. The upcoming Labour government’s goal is to restore our healthcare system and create a more equitable Britain where individuals can live longer and healthier lives.”
According to Marmot, it is crucial for there to be a sense of urgency and strong political guidance in all aspects. While the NHS is significant in its publicly funded and accessible nature, addressing the social determinants of health is necessary. These factors, such as one’s upbringing, environment, employment, and aging, are the primary contributors to disparities in health.
My message to leaders of political parties is to prioritize stopping policies that negatively impact health and contribute to health disparities in the next government. To members of Parliament: if you truly care about the well-being of your constituents, you should be alarmed by the decline in their health.
The Department of Health and Social Care has been asked for a response.
Source: theguardian.com
