ARC GM | Health Inequalities

Health Inequalities

There are deep-rooted and persistent regional health inequalities within England.

People who live in the north tend to have much lower levels of health than their counterparts elsewhere and there is a two-year gap in life-expectancy. One frightening result of this is that over the last 50 years, over 1.5 million northerners have died earlier than if they had experienced the same lifetime health chances as those in the rest of England.

Premature mortality rates in Manchester are 539 deaths per-100,000 population, compared to 241 deaths per 100,000 in Kensington and Chelsea.

It is not just length of life; there are also marked differences in the quality of health between the north and elsewhere.

The ‘Due North Inquiry’ into health equity reported that a baby boy born in Manchester can expect to live 17 fewer years in good health than a baby boy born in Richmond Upon Thames. A baby girl born in Manchester can expect to live 15 fewer years in good health than a baby girl born in Richmond.

Across Greater Manchester inequalities exist between neighbourhoods and differing socio-economic groups, including groups that are marginsalised and disadvantaged - for example those who are homeless, suffer from domestic violence, have low health literacy, due to their sexuality, or are in care.

In collaboration with our key stakeholders and partner, our high-quality applied research aims to support the health and social care system to identify, understand and help to reduce health inequalities within Greater Manchester, as well as nationally.

We are also part of the NIHR National Priority Consortium in Health and Care Inequalities, which is led by NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria, and more information about this consortia is available here.