The government published reports summarizing progress against health inequality targets in England for 2010 in: infant mortality; life expectancy at birth for males and females; and for cancer (premature mortality rate) and all circulatory diseases (premature mortality rate). Infant mortality was 17 per cent higher in the routine and manual socio-economic group than in the total population between 2004 and 2006, compared to 18 per cent higher in the period 2003-2005. Average life expectancy at birth had increased for both males and females: however in the period 2004-2006 the relative gap between England and the spearhead group (areas with the worst health and deprivation indicators) was wider than at the time of the baseline – the gap was 2 per cent wider for males and 11 per cent wider for females.
Source: Tackling Health Inequalities: 2004-06 data and policy update for the 2010 national target, Department of Health (08701 555455) | Health Inequality Target Monitoring: Infant Mortality, Department of Health | Health Inequalities Target Monitoring: Life Expectancy at Birth, Department of Health | Health Inequalities Target Monitoring: Mortality, Department of Health
Links: Summary report | Report (Infant mortality) | Report (Life expectancy at birth) | Report (Mortality)
Date: 2007-Dec
An article presented a framework for understanding gender issues in access to healthcare. Access appeared often to be relative, variable, and contingent upon many factors and circumstances, one of which was gender.
Source: Ellen Annandale, Janet Harvey, Debbie Cavers and Mary Dixon-Woods, 'Gender and access to healthcare in the UK: a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
A new book summarized the results of the national evaluation of Sure Start programmes. It examined the nature of the communities in which the programmes were situated, and how they changed over time; the early effects on children and families; and identified the specific features that helped to determine whether or not individual programmes benefited children and families.
Source: Jay Belsky, Jacqueline Barnes and Edward Melhuish (eds.), The National Evaluation of Sure Start: Does area-based early intervention work?, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Nov
A think-tank report said that the gap between the sort of National Health Service treatment that could be expected by those at the top and those at the bottom of society had actually grown under New Labour. The NHS had become a divisive influence on society, standing in the way of social cohesion and favouring wealth and the 'middle-class voice' over the welfare of the poor.
Source: Nick Seddon, Quite Like Heaven? Options for the NHS in a consumer age, Civitas (020 7401 5470)
Links: Civitas press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Nov
A report said that the state had a duty to help everyone lead a healthy life and reduce inequalities in health. It looked specifically at alcohol, obesity, smoking, infectious disease, and fluoridation of water.
Source: Public health: Ethical Issues, Nuffield Council on Bioethics (020 7681 9619)
Links: Report | Summary | NCB press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined trends in cancer incidence by deprivation in England and Wales, and at the government office region (GOR) and Wales level over the period 1990-2002. The results showed that the deprivation gap in lung cancer incidence had widened in the majority of GORs and Wales, particularly in males. For prostate cancer, where incidence was generally higher among those living in the least deprived areas, the deprivation gap had also widened in the majority of GORs and Wales.
Source: Steve Rowan, 'Trends in cancer incidence by deprivation, England and Wales, 1990-2002', Health Statistics Quarterly 36, Winter 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined the spatial characteristics of the relationship between deprivation and mortality rates in Scotland. Deprivation was found to affect mortality levels not only within the same areas but also in spatially proximate areas.
Source: Sanjeev Sridharan, Helena Tunstall, Richard Lawder and Richard Mitchell, 'An exploratory spatial data analysis approach to understanding the relationship between deprivation and mortality in Scotland', Social Science & Medicine Volume 65 Issue 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
An article compared mortality in men in England and Wales between 2001 and 2003 by reference (for the first time) to the National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification introduced in 2001. Men working in routine jobs (class 7) were nearly three times more likely than directors and chief executives of major organisations (class 1.1) to die before 65.
Source: Chris White, Myer Glickman, Brian Johnson and Tania Corbin, 'Social inequalities in adult male mortality by the National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification, England and Wales, 2001-03', Health Statistics Quarterly 36, Winter 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article | ONS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Nov
A minister in the Scottish Government reportedly said that charges for prescriptions were to be abolished within four years.
Source: Comments by Nicola Sturgeon (Deputy First Minister), BBC report, 22 October 2007
Links: BBC report | Telegraph report | Patients Association press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A new book said that the traditional government approach of exhorting individuals to live healthier lifestyles was not enough – action to promote public health needed to take place not just through public agencies, but also by engaging community assets and resources in their broadest sense.
Source: Steve Cropper et al. (eds.), Community Health and Wellbeing: Action research on health inequalities, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Oct
A survey found that the revenues of private hospitals and clinics (excluding National Health Service pay beds) reached an estimated £2.96 billion in 2006. This was a rise of 2 per cent in real terms compared with the previous year: but the rate of growth was down sharply from 2005 (9? per cent) and the 10-year average of 6.5 per cent.
Source: Laing's Healthcare Market Review: 2007-2008 edition, Laing & Buisson (020 7833 9123)
Links: L&B press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A report by the (outgoing) race equality watchdog said that the Department of Health did not have due regard to its statutory race equality duty in the way in which it developed policies.
Source: Report of Formal Investigation into the Department of Health, Commission for Racial Equality (020 7939 0000)
Links: Report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Oct
A new book provided a multi-disciplinary perspective on tackling health inequalities, including an overview of progress since the 1998 Acheson Inquiry.
Source: Elizabeth Dowler and Nick Spencer (eds.), Challenging Health Inequalities: From Acheson to Choosing Health, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Sep
The disability rights watchdog examined progress on tackling the inequalities in physical health experienced by people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. It expressed concern that the Department of Health was only just beginning to show the high-level commitment and leadership that was necessary if real change was to come about. There was resistance to collecting the national data that was needed on health inequalities.
Source: Equal Treatment: Closing the Gap – One Year On, Disability Rights Commission (08457 622633)
Links: Report | FPLD press release | MHF press release | Rethink press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Sep
A briefing paper examined health inequalities for minority ethnic groups. It said that reducing health inequalities was possible utilizing the 'ingredients' of National Health Service system reform.
Source: Gurch Randhawa, Tackling Health Inequalities for Minority Ethnic Groups: Challenges and opportunities, Race Equality Foundation (020 7619 6220)
Links: Briefing
Date: 2007-Sep
A report said that Sure Start children's centres could be effective in delivering child and family services in England: but they needed to gear up their efforts to help parents overcome practical and other barriers to employment, and to bring about lasting change in their communities.
Source: Margaret Lochrie, Children's Centres: Ensuring that families most in need benefit, Capacity (020 8977 1688) and Esm?e Fairbairn Foundation
Links: Report | Summary | Capacity press release
Date: 2007-Sep
A report said that moves to create a personalized National Health Service should start with the most excluded, and work to tackle health inequality. There were millions of people who were not accessing the services they needed at the time they needed them: action to identify those people should be the first priority. People from poorer backgrounds were failing to access services at the early stages of disease.
Source: In Sickness and in Health: How the NHS can help tackle health inequalities, NHS Confederation (020 7959 7272)
Links: Report | NHS Confederation press release
Date: 2007-Sep
A new book provided an evidence-based introduction to social and health inequalities. It examined what was meant by health inequalities and socio-economic inequalities; what evidence there was to support the link between socio-economic status and health; why these links persisted over time, between and within societies, and across people's lives; and the part played by policies in the persistence of social and health inequalities.
Source: Hilary Graham, Unequal Lives: Health and socioeconomic inequalities, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Sep
An article examined the associations between various socio-economic circumstances and common mental disorders among middle-aged Finnish and British public sector employees. Childhood and current economic difficulties were strongly associated with common mental disorders among men and women in both the Helsinki and the London cohort.
Source: Elina Laaksonen et al., 'Socioeconomic circumstances and common mental disorders among Finnish and British public sector employees: evidence from the Helsinki Health Study and the Whitehall II Study', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 36 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
An article presented proposed changes in the methods used to estimate life expectancy by social class using the ONS Longitudinal Study.
Source: Brian Johnson and Louisa Blackwell, 'Review of methods for estimating life expectancy by social class using the ONS Longitudinal Study', Health Statistics Quarterly 35, Autumn 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article
Date: 2007-Aug
A report by a committee of MPs said that government plans for a network of Sure Start children's centres in every community in England by 2010 might be at risk, because of a shortage of trained staff and doubts over local authorities' capacity to deliver them. Only one-third of Sure Start centres were pro-actively seeking out 'hard-to-reach' families.
Source: Sure Start Children's Centres, Thirty-eighth Report (Session 2006-07), HC 261, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jul
A survey for the food standards watchdog found that the dietary pattern of people on low incomes was the same as that of the general population, although in some aspects it was slightly less healthy. No direct link was found between dietary patterns and income, food access, or cooking skills. The diet-related problems found to affect people on low incomes were in general much the same as those facing the population as a whole.
Source: Michael Nelson, Bob Erens, Beverly Bates, Susan Church and Tracy Boshier, Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000)
Links: Report | FSA press release | NatCen press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Jul
A study found that many of the negative aspects of health and lifestyle in Glasgow and the surrounding area were due to levels of deprivation. However, there were also some aspects that were unexplained by deprivation: these included poorer mental health, bad diet, and excess alcohol consumption among men.
Source: Linsay Gray, Comparisons of Health-related Behaviours and Health Measures Between Glasgow and the Rest of Scotland, Glasgow Centre for Population Health (0141 221 9439)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined the role that user-involvement research could play in health inequalities research.
Source: Peter Beresford, 'User involvement, research and health inequalities: developing new directions', Health and Social Care in the Community, Volume 15 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined the characteristics of primary care in deprived communities. Overall differences between primary care quality indicators in deprived and prosperous communities were small. However, shortfalls in specific indicators, both clinical and non-clinical, suggested that focused interventions could be applied to improve the quality of primary care in deprived areas.
Source: Mark Ashworth, Paul Seed, David Armstrong, Stevo Durbaba and Roger Jones, 'The relationship between social deprivation and the quality of primary care: a national survey using indicators from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework', British Journal of General Practice, Volume 57 Number 539
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A think-tank report said that the ability of primary care trusts to understand the health needs of ethnically diverse communities, and improve access to services, was being undermined by a lack of data about who used which National Health Service services.
Source: Ruth Thorlby and Natasha Curry, PCTs and Race Equality Schemes, King?s Fund (020 7307 2591)
Links: Report | King's Fund press release
Date: 2007-Jun
A report examined variations in the way Sure Start local programmes were implemented (their proficiency) and in their impact on the children and parents (their effectiveness). Proficient and effective SSLPs took a holistic approach to implementing the Sure Start vision: they built on the strengths of inherited provision, and were creative in improving and setting up services.
Source: Angela Anning, Jane Stuart, Michelle Nicholls, Joanna Goldthorpe and Anita Morley, Understanding Variations in Effectiveness amongst Sure Start Local Programmes, Research Report NESS/2007/FR/024, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined the perceptions of statutory-service providers about their experience of working with Sure Start professionals. Although interviewees welcomed the additional input provided by Sure Start for the most vulnerable families, a number of tensions arose over key divergences between the philosophical positions of statutory providers and Sure Start. The most important tension was over Sure Start's philosophy of targeting resources on an entire geographical area. This was seen as antithetical to statutory providers? case-by-case approach, and raised questions about access and equity for families living outside Sure Start's boundaries. Sure Start's concentration on young children, and the time-limited nature of their services and activities, frustrated statutory providers who had a broader family focus and a longer-term perspective. The perceived under-resourcing of statutory services in comparison to Sure Start, and statutory providers? responsibility for 'selling' Sure Start services, strained a sense of equality between agencies and professionals, and undermined a sense of a shared agenda.
Source: Alison Edgley and Mark Avis, 'The perceptions of statutory service providers of a local Sure Start programme: a shared agenda?', Health and Social Care in the Community,Volume 15 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report said that the level of satisfaction by parents with the services provided by Sure Start children's centres was 'very high'. Learning and socializing were seen as the main benefits to children of attending the centres. Suggestions for improvement frequently related to: changing or extending the times when provision was available (particularly at ?non-core? times such as evenings and weekends), and requests for more courses and training opportunities. More childcare was also requested, especially for a broader range of age groups.
Source: Kate Ridley-Moy, Sure Start Children?s Centres Parental Satisfaction Survey: Report and Annexes 2007, Research Report RW108, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jun
A report examined the policy and practice issues that arose from the operation of Sure Start local programmes in areas where there were significant black and minority ethnic populations. Experiences and practice varied widely. SSLPs that were successful understood and worked closely with local community organizations. Some SSLPs had been discouraged from pursuing relationships with certain minority groups and abandoned the attempt, effectively excluding some already very marginalized communities.
Source: Gary Craig et al., Sure Start and Black and Minority Ethnic Populations, Research Report NESS/2007/FR/020, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined the mechanism by which socio-economic inequalities might impair health in a way that was independent of the effect of material deprivation on health.
Source: Stephen Abbott, 'The psychosocial effects on health of socioeconomic inequalities', Critical Public Health, Volume 17 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report set out the role of healthcare professionals in helping to break down barriers to improved healthcare outcomes for disabled patients.
Source: Disability Equality within Healthcare: The role of healthcare professionals, British Medical Association (020 7387 4499)
Links: Report | BMA press release | DRC press release
Date: 2007-Jun
An article drew on a long-term study of civil servants to examine the effects of 'unfairness' (job strain, effort?reward imbalance, and organizational injustice) on coronary events and health functioning. Unfairness was found to be an independent predictor of increased coronary events and impaired health functioning.
Source: Roberto De Vogli, Jane Ferrie, Tarani Chandola, Mika Kivim?ki and Michael Marmot, 'Unfairness and health: evidence from the Whitehall II Study', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 61 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report examined changes in the characteristics of Sure Start local programme areas in rounds 1 to 4. Over the five-year period, improvements in SSLP areas were detected, and often the level of change was significantly greater than that seen in England as a whole. However, few of these changes could be linked in a straightforward way to Sure Start activities.
Source: Jacqueline Barnes et al., Changes in the Characteristics of SSLP Areas Between 2000/01 and 2004/05, Research Report NESS/2007/FR/021, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined the effect of time since labour market exit on associations between socio-economic position and self-rated health. Time since labour market exit was an important factor to consider when studying health inequalities in a post-working population.
Source: Martin Hyde and Ian Rees Jones, 'The long shadow of work - does time since labour market exit affect the association between socioeconomic position and health in a post-working population', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 61 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report said that the failure of public authorities to outlaw discrimination meant that older people were often denied life-saving treatment, discouraged from accessing vital health tests, and denied transforming health and social care and mental health services. In-built discriminatory regulations, unfair practices, and ageist attitudes all combined to mean older people ? the primary users of health and social care ? often received inferior care and unequal public services.
Source: Age of Equality? Outlawing age discrimination beyond the work place, Age Concern England (020 8765 7200)
Links: Age Concern press release
Date: 2007-May
An article examined differences in trajectories of self-reported health in an ageing cohort according to occupational grade (based on a study of office-based civil servants). Social inequalities in self-reported health increased in early old age. People from lower occupational grades aged faster in terms of a quicker deterioration in physical health compared with people from higher grades. This widening gap suggested that health inequalities would became an increasingly important public health issue, especially as the population aged.
Source: Tarani Chandola, Jane Ferrie, Amanda Sacker and Michael Marmot, 'Social inequalities in self reported health in early old age: follow-up of prospective cohort study', British Medical Journal, 12 May 2007
Links: Article
Date: 2007-May
A new book presented findings from studies evaluating Sure Start programmes in north-east England.
Source: Nigel Malin and Gillian Morrow, Evaluating Sure Start, Whiting and Birch (020 8244 2421)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-May
The government announced an independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Source: Press release 31 May 2007, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release | Mencap press release
Date: 2007-May
An article examined socio-economic inequalities in smoking. A larger percentage of people in manual households smoked compared with those living in non-manual households. The exceptions were teenagers and people in their early twenties.
Source: Melissa Davy, 'Socio-economic inequalities in smoking: an examination of generational trends in
Great Britain', Health Statistics Quarterly 34, Summer 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2007-May
An article said that health inequalities varied considerably across England and Wales, and were strongly linked to deprivation - based on a new analysis of small-area information from the 2001 Census.
Source: Domenica Rasulo, Madhavi Bajekal and Mohammed Yar, 'Inequalities in health expectancies in England and Wales ? small area analysis from the 2001 Census', Health Statistics Quarterly 34, Summer 2007, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2007-May
A paper examined the relationship between nutrition and socio-economic status. It described the dynamics of consumption over age and time, using data from the British National Food Survey covering the period 1975-2000. Changes in nutrient-intake consumption due to income variations were relatively low, and in general positive - as income rose, consumption rose as well but at a lower rate. It was not possible on the evidence to say whether a positive variation of family income improved nutrition and therefore health status.
Source: Paola De Agostini, Diet Composition, Socio-economic Status and Food Outlets Development in Britain, Working Paper 2007-09, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2007-May
An article examined the appointment of directors of public health to primary care trust boards to work jointly with the local authorities in addressing health inequalities. Public health potential might not be fulfilled, because of pressures outside the public health area and the lack of capacity in the primary care trusts.
Source: Marianna Fotaki, 'Can directors of public health implement the new public health agenda in primary care? A case study of primary care trusts in the north west of England', Policy & Politics, Volume 35 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-May
An article examined the effect of mobility between occupationally defined social classes between 1991 and 2001 on health inequality in men and women. Social mobility did not increase the extent of health inequality, but rather served to constrain or dilute it.
Source: Mel Bartley and Ian Plewis, 'Increasing social mobility: an effective policy to reduce health inequalities', Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A, Volume 170 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
A report said that there was evidence that, like poverty and low income, ethnic minority grouping was a significant risk factor for poor health outcomes for mothers and babies, as reflected in infant deaths and maternal mortality, lower birth-weight and infant and maternal morbidity.
Source: Hiranthi Jayaweera, Christine Hockley, Margaret Redshaw and Maria Quigley, Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Ethnic Minority Mothers in England, Centre for Longitudinal Studies/University of London (020 7612 6875)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Apr
A new book examined the links between long-term ill-health and three inter-related areas: employment, welfare benefits, and social participation/support. It also explored the relevance of ethnicity for the experience and consequences of long-term ill-health. It identified ways in which existing health and social policy might better serve the needs of people with long-term health conditions.
Source: Sarah Salway, Lucinda Platt, Punita Chowbey, Kaveri Harriss and Elizabeth Bayliss, Long-term Ill-health, Poverty and Ethnicity, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Report | Findings | Summary | JRF press release
Date: 2007-Apr
An article examined evidence on the utilization of the National Health Service by different socio-economic groups. Although the distribution of use of family doctors was broadly equitable, that for specialist treatment was 'pro-rich'.
Source: Anna Dixon, Julian Le Grand, John Henderson, Richard Murray and Emmi Poteliakhoff, 'Is the British National Health Service equitable? The evidence on socioeconomic differences in utilization', Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, Volume 12 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
An article said that the health divide between the most affluent and the worst-off in society increased in later life.
Source: Tarani Chandola, Jane Ferrie, Amanda Sacker and Michael Marmot, 'Social inequalities in self reported health in early old age: follow-up of prospective cohort study', British Medical Journal (online first), 27 April 2007
Links: Abstract | BMJ press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Apr
An article examined how key actors involved in research-policy dialogues on health inequalities in England and Scotland understood the processes involved.
Source: Katherine Smith, 'Health inequalities in Scotland and England: the contrasting journeys of ideas from research into policy', Social Science & Medicine Volume 64 Issue 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Apr
Researchers found consistent and robust evidence of a significant family income gradient in child health, using the subjective general health status measure: but the slope of the gradient was very small, and there was no evidence that the slope increased with child age. Furthermore, there was no evidence of such a gradient with more objective measures, based on nurse examinations and blood test results. Together these results suggested that family income was not a major determinant of child health in England.
Source: Alison Currie, Michael Shields and Stephen Wheatley Price, 'The child health/family income gradient: evidence from England', Journal of Health Economics, Volume 26 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Mar
A new book said that early-age mortality remained a significant social problem. It proposed new ways of defining and tackling the problem of persistent mortality differentials.
Source: Eilidh Garrett, Chris Galley, Nicola Shelton and Robert Woods (eds.), Infant Mortality: A continuing social problem, Ashgate Publications (01235 827730)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Mar
An article examined whether, and how, individual family doctors were influenced by a patient's age. Age was found to directly influence decision-making about angina investigation and treatment by half of the doctors in primary and secondary care samples.
Source: Clare Harries, Damien Forrest, Nigel Harvey, Alastair McClelland and Ann Bowling, 'Which doctors are influenced by a patient's age? A multi-method study of angina treatment in general practice, cardiology and gerontology', Quality and Safety in Health Care, Volume 16 Number 1
Links: Abstract | Age Concern press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Feb
A report said that death rates in more deprived areas of Scotland were falling more slowly than in affluent areas. The age-standardized mortality rate in Scotland fell by 30 per cent for men and 25 per cent for women between 1981 and 2001: but male mortality rates in Clydeside were 17 per cent higher than the Scottish average in 2001, compared with only 9 per cent in 1981.
Source: Alastair Leyland, Ruth Dundas, Philip McLoone and Andrew Boddy, Inequalities in Mortality in Scotland 1981-2001, MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit/University of Glasgow (0141 357 3949)
Links: Report | MRC press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Feb
A report said that there was a lack of acknowledgement in Northern Ireland of the sexuality of people with learning disabilities - with the result that their needs were being fundamentally ignored.
Source: Audrey Simpson, Attracta Lafferty and Roy McConkey, Out of the Shadows: A report of the sexual health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland, Family Planning Association (020 7923 5202)and School of Nursing/University of Ulster
Links: FPA press release | UU press release
Date: 2007-Feb
Date: 2007-Feb
A report said that evidence about what worked to reduce health inequalities was 'very limited'. But it said that there was a need for closer co-ordination between all major policy areas including health, education, housing, employment, and taxation.
Source: Hilary Graham and Mike Kelly, Developing the Evidence Base for Tackling Health Inequalities and Differential Effects, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Report | ESRC press release
Date: 2007-Jan
A paper examined the effect of permanent income changes on health for a prime-aged population. Such income changes had little effects on health, but did affect health behaviour and mortality.
Source: J?r?me Adda, James Banks and Hans-Martin von Gaudecker, The Impact of Income Shocks on Health: Evidence from cohort data, Working Paper W07/, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Date: 2007-Jan
A briefing paper reviewed the evidence on ethnic health inequalities. The poorer socio-economic position of BME groups was the main factor driving ethnic health inequalities.
Source: Ethnicity and Health, Briefing Note 276, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (020 7219 2840)
Links: Briefing Note
Date: 2007-Jan
An article said that prisoners were more likely to have suffered some form of social exclusion compared to the rest of society, and tended to have greater mental and physical health problems. Women, young offenders, older prisoners, and those from minority ethnic groups had distinct health needs compared to the prison population as a whole.
Source: Francesca Harris, Gill Hek and Louise Condon, 'Health needs of prisoners in England and Wales: the implications for prison healthcare of gender, age and ethnicity', Health and Social Care in the Community, Volume 15 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan
The healthcare inspectorate said that National Health Service primary care trusts in areas of deprivation in England were providing the best approach to reducing smoking levels.
Source: No Ifs, No Buts: Improving services for tobacco control, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200)
Links: Report | CHAI press release
Date: 2007-Jan
An article said that the early recognition given by the Sure Start programme to the evidence base, and to the interconnected nature of social problems, had given way to a more targeted approach - arguably marginalizing those aspects that had been key to success.
Source: Joyce Halliday and Sheena Asthana, 'From evidence to practice: addressing health inequalities through Sure Start', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan
A paper examined the size of health differences that existed among men in England and the United States, and how those differences varied by socio-economic status in both countries.
Source: James Banks, Michael Marmot, Zo? Oldfield and James Smith, The SES Health Gradient on Both Sides of the Atlantic, Working Paper W07/04, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Date: 2007-Jan
