Unfortunately, over 1 million individuals in England passed away earlier than expected between 2011 and the present due to a combination of financial struggles, government budget cuts, and the Covid pandemic. This alarming discovery was made by a prominent public health specialist in the UK.
A recent study conducted by Sir Michael Marmot and the Institute of Health Equity at University College London has disclosed statistics showcasing the impact of economic and social disparities on the premature deaths of individuals from cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
Based on data from the Office for National Statistics, Prof Peter Goldblatt examined the life expectancy of individuals residing in areas that are not among the top 10% most affluent in England.
The study, named “Health Inequalities, Lives Cut Short,” discovered that from 2011 to 2019, 1,062,334 individuals passed away earlier than they would have if they resided in the same areas as the wealthiest 10% of the population. An additional 151,615 untimely deaths were reported in 2020, although this number was above projected due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goldblatt attributed 148,000 of these deaths to the implementation of austerity measures by the coalition government in 2010, by comparing them to earlier levels.
Marmot, the author of a significant analysis on health disparities in the UK in 2010, expressed concern over the alarming rates of premature deaths and growing inequalities. He urged political leaders to take action in addressing the issue that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are disproportionately affected by illnesses that are directly correlated with poverty, inadequate housing, and unemployment.
He expressed that the occurrence of one million premature deaths, aggravated by austerity measures, is a notable failure in politics. The significant disparity in health between the bottom 90% of the population and the top 10% highlights how health inequalities affect the majority of society.
The UK serves as a negative example of how not to address health disparities. The only other developed nation with worse outcomes is the USA, where life expectancy is actually declining.
Our nation is now facing poverty and poor health, with only a small group of wealthy and healthy individuals. While people are concerned about their well-being, it is declining and their lifespans are decreasing without any personal blame. It is up to our political leaders to decide whether to prioritize the health of everyone or not, but currently they are not doing so.
Cancer Research UK’s study has found that 33,000 additional cancer cases in the UK annually are linked to deprivation. Additionally, women residing in the most impoverished areas of England have an average life expectancy five years shorter than those from wealthier areas. The pandemic has also highlighted that individuals of black and Asian ethnicity face a higher mortality risk from COVID-19 compared to their white counterparts.
Earlier studies have demonstrated that policies implemented by Labour administrations from 1997 to 2010, which prioritized early childhood and education, were starting to mitigate stark health disparities. A significant portion of the efforts were guided by the English health inequalities strategy, a comprehensive plan involving multiple government agencies. Research has indicated that this specific strategy was linked to a decrease in regional discrepancies in life expectancy, effectively reversing a previous upward trend.
Unfortunately, following its conclusion in 2010, coinciding with the implementation of austerity measures, there was a resurgence in health disparities. According to the institute’s 2020 report, “Health Equity in England: the Marmot Review 10 Years On,” progress in life expectancy has halted, particularly in the most economically disadvantaged regions. This decline has been especially evident among women living in the bottom 10% of areas.
The research discovered that the pandemic led to a 28,000 increase in deaths among the most disadvantaged 10% of areas, highlighting the growing inequality between them and the least disadvantaged areas when compared to the past five years.
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According to the report, the UK’s “healthy life years” have declined compared to other European Union countries in recent years. In 2014, the average number of healthy years for both men and women in the UK was higher than the EU. However, by 2017, this had remained the same for men and decreased for women, while the EU saw an increase of two years for both genders.
According to Wes Streeting, the opposition’s spokesperson for health, the goal of the future Labour government will be to create a more equitable Britain where all individuals can enjoy longer, healthier lives.
According to Streeting, the previous Labour government achieved the lowest NHS waiting lists and the highest patient satisfaction ever. They also addressed the underlying factors that affect health and reduced health inequalities. However, the current Conservative government has undone 14 years of progress and the NHS is now struggling, leading to a decline in overall societal health and negative impacts on individuals.
“Your place of birth and the conditions surrounding it should not determine your lifespan. The upcoming Labour government’s goal will be to revitalize our healthcare system and create a more equitable Britain where all individuals can live longer, healthier lives.”
The speaker, Marmot, emphasized the need for immediate action and strong leadership from all levels of government. While the publicly-funded and accessible NHS is crucial, it is also important to address the social factors that impact health, such as one’s birthplace, environment, job, and age. These conditions greatly contribute to health disparities.
I urge party leaders to prioritize addressing policies that negatively impact health and contribute to health disparities in the upcoming government. To MPs: if you are concerned about the well-being of your constituents, you should be alarmed by their declining health.
A representative from the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “We are dedicated to addressing disparities in healthcare outcomes, experiences, and access within the NHS. This is a central goal of the NHS long-term plan, and as part of this, NHS England has initiated five new cancer clinical audits to decrease unjustified discrepancies in treatments and results for patients.”
Source: theguardian.com
