Systemic inequality in health must be addressed once and for all

Commenting on the Health Foundation’s analysis and the Association of Directors of Public Health open letter which calls for urgent action on public health funding, to which the NHS Confederation is a signatory, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“COVID-19 has shown the extent of the country’s health inequalities and we know that those living in more deprived areas have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

“However, systemic inequality in health has been an issue for many, many years so it is vital that it is addressed once and for all.

“Tackling health disparity needs concerted and holistic action including urgent additional investment in public health to help lay the foundations for a generational change in the nations’ health and healthcare.

 “As the government pushes forward with its levelling up health agenda, we will continue to support our members and their local partners to help their communities to overcome health disparities.”