Health Disparity White Paper will not be published

This morning’s confirmation from Government that it will not be publishing the Health Disparities White Paper is disappointing, and means that there is a danger of losing the focus on creating real equity in health for all.

However, we do recognise that the Major Conditions Strategy is being developed with a view to tackling geographical differences in outcomes for specific conditions and that this will necessarily mean looking at ways to reduce existing inequalities – something Directors of Public Health have a wealth of knowledge about and are ready to share.

Moreover, we very much welcome the Government’s recognition that we need to move towards a model of “preserving good health”, and that, in order to do this, closer working with local government is needed.

We would though urge the Government to consider the benefits of looking at these issues through an even wider lens, and consider the positive impact that, for example, ensuring all children had a healthy start in life regardless of where they are born, and access to affordable, healthy food regardless of income would have on narrowing the gap even further.

It is only by tackling these issues as a whole, and making a shift towards collaborative working across all government departments so that health is at the heart of all policy and decision making will we be able to build a society where good health is considered the norm and people really can live longer, healthier lives no matter what their background or where they live.