Working Toward Health Equity
Our Contribution to Health Equity
In March 2005, Michael Marmot began chairing the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Its aim was to review and assess global evidence about the drivers of health inequalities and support countries and global health partners in addressing the social factors leading to ill health and health inequities. The highly influential report, ‘Closing the Gap in a Generation’ was published in August 2008.
At the request of the British Government in 2008, Michael Marmot then chaired an independent strategic review of health inequalities in England. The aim was to propose the most effective evidence-based strategies for reducing health inequalities in England from 2010.
The review published its report 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives (The Marmot Review)' in February 2010. The findings of this review have had significant influence in England and beyond.
The report concluded that reducing health inequalities would require action on six policy objectives:
- Give every child the best start in life
- Enable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives
- Create fair employment and good work for all
- Ensure healthy standard of living for all
- Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities
- Strengthen the role and impact of ill-health prevention
On a wider level, other factors must be considered. They include:
- the role of the health and public health professionals and other workforce
- health systems, governance and delivery
- global and macro level factors
To improve health equity we have been working with international organisations (UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WMA, PAHO), national governments, communities, voluntary sector and private organisations, public services, cities, local and national governments and regions to implement practical actions.
In England the recommendations from the Marmot Review received cross party support and framed the 2010 Public health White Paper and Public Health outcomes framework. More than three quarters of local government health and well-being boards have Marmot Principles at their centre.
Visualising the difference: equality and equity
Health Equity means fair opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Inequities in health are not inevitable or necessary they are unjust and are the product of unfair social, economic and political arrangements.
EQUALITY | EQUITY
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