Institute gets £1m to monitor longevity inequality

Led by public health expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot, the Institute for Health Equity will receive £1m from the Department of Health over the next three years to pay for collecting evidence and providing expert advice in England.

Last month, the Yorkshire Post revealed that gaps in life expectancy had widened in the region – with those in more affluent areas predicted to live significantly longer.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that a baby girl born in Craven or Hambleton in 2008-10 can expect to live 84.2 years, compared with a girl in Hull who would probably live 80.2 years.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley set out the Government’s support for the University College London (UCL) Institute for Health Equity in a speech yesterday.

Mr Lansley told the Health Action Partnership International conference in London: “A stark picture has emerged in this country over the past 20 years of a growing divide in the health outcomes between rich and poor.

“For example, men living in Blackpool can expect to live on average 11.5 years less than men living in Kensington and Chelsea.”

He announced the Government was creating a new public health system that will reduce the inequalities that exist nationwide.

“The new Institute of Health Equity will provide invaluable advice and support for local organisations and health professionals during the transition to this fairer system,” said Mr Lansley.

“Health inequalities cannot be transformed overnight but the work of Sir Michael Marmot and his team should help turn evidence into action and help improve the health of their local communities.”

Sir Michael added: “I am delighted to see work to tackle health inequalities integrated into the Government’s plans for public health.

“The UCL Institute of Health Equity has a global remit to ensure population health is improved and health inequities are reduced within and between countries, through action on the social determinants of health.

“To enable individuals to be in control of their own lives action is needed on the social circumstances in which we are born, grow, live, work and age.”

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