Latest news with #healthinequalities
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Study exposes ‘alarming' inequalities among child deaths in intensive care
Children from deprived areas of the UK are more likely to die in intensive care than youngsters in wealthy areas, a study suggests. There are also higher death rates among children of Asian ethnicity on these wards compared to white children, researchers said. Experts called for urgent action from policymakers and health leaders in light of the findings, which they described as 'deeply troubling'. For the study, researchers from Imperial College London, University of Leicester, UCL and University of Leeds analysed 245,099 admissions for 163,163 children to UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) between January 2008 and December 2021. Researchers found death rates were 4.2 per cent among the most deprived children at 2,432 deaths per 58,110 admissions, compared to 3.1 per cent among wealthy children with 1,025 deaths per 33,331 admissions. According to the study, youngsters living in the poorest areas had 13 per cent higher odds of dying compared to those living in the least deprived areas. Researchers also found 5.1 per cent of Asian children admitted to PICU died – 1,336 deaths per 26,022 admissions – compared to 3.2 per cent of white children, with 4,960 deaths per 154,041 admissions. Dr Hannah Mitchell, of the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London, said: 'Paediatric intensive care offers the highest level of support for the sickest children. 'Our findings show that inequalities persist even at this stage of care and are deeply troubling. 'These are not just statistics – they represent real, preventable differences in outcomes for critically ill children.' Elsewhere, the study found both deprived children and those of Asian ethnicity were more likely to be severely unwell when admitted to PICU compared to wealthier and white children. Youngsters from ethnic minority backgrounds also had longer stays in PICU – 66 hours on average – while white children averaged 52 hours. Dr Mitchell added: 'Our findings are especially alarming in the context of rising levels of child poverty in the UK, where 4.5 million children are now growing up in poverty (31 per cent of all children), 800,000 more children compared to 2013 (27 per cent of all children). 'These findings should prompt urgent action from policymakers and healthcare leaders.' Dr Mitchell said the study, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 'adds clear, national-scale evidence of disparities in intensive care. 'Reducing avoidable deaths in children must include serious, sustained action to reduce child poverty, improve access to healthcare, and address the structural barriers faced by marginalised communities,' she added. Reacting to the study, Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: 'These sobering findings are shocking and unacceptable. 'Your ethnicity, background or where you live should not determine your chances of survival. 'We need immediate and collective action to address the issues outlined in this study, and in many other studies that show the impact structural inequalities and bias have on healthcare access, experience, and outcomes. 'Not tackling these issues is leading to avoidable harm to countless patients, families, and communities.'
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Deprivation and ethnicity behind ‘considerable' inequality in premature death
There is a 'clear association' between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely, with factors such as deprivation and ethnicity accounting for much of the difference across local areas, a new study has found. Education, occupation and whether someone was born in the UK are also likely to contribute to the sharp contrasts that are evident around the country. The research is the first of its kind to explore the impact of such characteristics on premature mortality at a local level. It has been carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on behalf of independent charity The Health Foundation, which said the findings can be used 'to support co-ordinated action to address health inequalities'. Premature mortality is defined as someone who dies from any cause before they reach the age of 75. The study focused on adults in England and Wales in the period March 2021 to December 2023. It found that levels of premature death in Blackpool, the local authority with the highest rate at 696 per 100,000 people, were nearly 2.5 times above those in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, which had the lowest rate of 285 per 100,000. While these figures took into account differences in age and sex among the local population, they did not reflect ethnicity, nationality of birth and socio-economic factors such as deprivation and education. But after further adjustment for ethnicity and being born outside the UK, Blackpool's mortality rate was found to be 2.3 times higher than Richmond upon Thames – and with additional adjustment for socio-economic status, it fell to 1.1 times higher. By contrasting the mortality rates before and after these factors were taken into account, the ONS was able to see the influence such characteristics have on levels of premature death. Socio-economic status has 'the greatest impact on variation in premature mortality rates, suggesting that it accounts for a considerable proportion of these geographical inequalities', the ONS said. This trend was evident not only when considering levels of premature mortality from all causes but also for premature deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions. Daniel Ayoubkhani, head of the ONS health research group, said: 'This analysis shows a clear association between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely. 'When accounting for differences in age and sex, we see that there are substantial differences in premature mortality rates across local authorities in England and Wales. 'For the first time, we have explored the role of socioeconomic characteristics, ethnicity, and whether someone was born in the UK in geographic variations in premature mortality, revealing that these factors explain much, but not all, of the differences in premature mortality rates between local authorities.' Charles Tallack, Health Foundation director of research and analysis, said: 'The opportunity of living a long and healthy life is dependent on the socio-economic conditions people live in. 'This analysis can be used to support co-ordinated, cross-sector action to address health inequalities.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deprivation and ethnicity behind ‘considerable' inequality in premature death
There is a 'clear association' between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely, with factors such as deprivation and ethnicity accounting for much of the difference across local areas, a new study has found. Education, occupation and whether someone was born in the UK are also likely to contribute to the sharp contrasts that are evident around the country. The research is the first of its kind to explore the impact of such characteristics on premature mortality at a local level. It has been carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on behalf of independent charity The Health Foundation, which said the findings can be used 'to support co-ordinated action to address health inequalities'. Premature mortality is defined as someone who dies from any cause before they reach the age of 75. The study focused on adults in England and Wales in the period March 2021 to December 2023. In partnership with The Health Foundation, we've published insights into premature mortality rates for adults in upper tier local authorities in England and Wales, accounting for differences in sex, age, ethnicity, whether born in the UK, and socioeconomic characteristics. — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 8, 2025 It found that levels of premature death in Blackpool, the local authority with the highest rate at 696 per 100,000 people, were nearly 2.5 times above those in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, which had the lowest rate of 285 per 100,000. While these figures took into account differences in age and sex among the local population, they did not reflect ethnicity, nationality of birth and socio-economic factors such as deprivation and education. But after further adjustment for ethnicity and being born outside the UK, Blackpool's mortality rate was found to be 2.3 times higher than Richmond upon Thames – and with additional adjustment for socio-economic status, it fell to 1.1 times higher. By contrasting the mortality rates before and after these factors were taken into account, the ONS was able to see the influence such characteristics have on levels of premature death. Socio-economic status has 'the greatest impact on variation in premature mortality rates, suggesting that it accounts for a considerable proportion of these geographical inequalities', the ONS said. This trend was evident not only when considering levels of premature mortality from all causes but also for premature deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions. Daniel Ayoubkhani, head of the ONS health research group, said: 'This analysis shows a clear association between where you live and your risk of dying prematurely. 'When accounting for differences in age and sex, we see that there are substantial differences in premature mortality rates across local authorities in England and Wales. 'For the first time, we have explored the role of socioeconomic characteristics, ethnicity, and whether someone was born in the UK in geographic variations in premature mortality, revealing that these factors explain much, but not all, of the differences in premature mortality rates between local authorities.' Charles Tallack, Health Foundation director of research and analysis, said: 'The opportunity of living a long and healthy life is dependent on the socio-economic conditions people live in. 'This analysis can be used to support co-ordinated, cross-sector action to address health inequalities.'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
North East lower life expectancy rates 'unfair and avoidable'
A region's worst areas for life expectancies rates for men and women have been identified, according to a NHS report. NHS North East and Cumbria Integrated Care Board's health and inequalities report found that between 2021-23, men in Gateshead were on average reaching 76.5 years compared to the national average of Durham has the worst life-span for women at 80.8 years - around two years shorter than the national average, the report Healy, director of public health at Durham County Council, said the rates for women in the county was a reminder of the "unfair and often avoidable differences". She said: "We are aware that in County Durham women face the lowest life expectancy in the North East."This is a reminder of the unfair and often avoidable differences in health outcomes that affect our residents. "Addressing these inequalities requires a whole-system approach with collaboration across health and social care, the voluntary and community sector and wider partners." Life expectancy figures for the North East:County Durham - men 77.9 years and women 80.8 yearsGateshead - men 76.5 years and women 82 yearsNewcastle - men 77.6 years and women 81.7 yearsNorth Tyneside - men 78.1 years and women 82.1 yearsNorthumberland - men 78.8 years and women 82.3 yearsSouth Tyneside - men 76.9 years and women 81.6 yearsSunderland - men 76.8 years and women 81.1 years 'Not just genetics' Alice Wiseman, director of public health at Gateshead Council, said health was impacted not just by genetics but "circumstances in which we are born, grow, work and live".She said other factors to be taken into account included income, environment, housing, transport, education and jobs."Two babies born on the same day at the same hospital in Gateshead can have more than 10 years difference in life expectancy," she said."Despite amazing work across health and care in recent decades inequalities in entirely preventable disease remain stubbornly persistent."Findings are expected to be discussed next week at Gateshead Civic Centre, with representatives present from all seven regional authorities. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Sky News
27-06-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Areas of England to get extra NHS funding announced
Why you can trust Sky News NHS funding will be diverted to working-class communities, the health secretary is set to announce. Wes Streeting is expected to announce the measure as part of the upcoming NHS 10-year plan, set to be focused on closing health inequalities, during a speech in Blackpool today. About £2.2bn will be spent on staff, medicines, new technology and equipment in rural communities, coastal towns and working-class regions, according to the Department of Health. 3:09 The money, which was previously set aside to plug financial holes in the health service, can now be reinvested where it is "most needed", the department said. It added that NHS leaders have spent months cutting "wasteful" spending, such as on "back office" functions and agency staff, while reducing forecast deficits by health trusts. GP funding will be reviewed under the new plan, as surgeries serving working-class areas receive an average of 10% less funding per patient than practices in more affluent areas. Practices in some of England's poorest areas have about 300 more patients per GP than the most affluent areas, data by the Royal College of GPs suggests. 5:52 The Department of Health said poorer communities had been "neglected" for years and often have the fewest GPs, the worst performing services and the longest waits. Mr Streeting is expected to say during the announcement of the plan that "those in greatest need often receive the worst quality healthcare". He will say that this "flies in the face of the values the NHS was founded on" as "the circumstances of your birth shouldn't determine your worth". Mr Streeting is set to add: "A core ambition of our 10-year plan will be to restore the promise of the NHS, to provide first-class healthcare for everyone in our country and end the postcode lottery." The government "will prioritise investment" where towns have the greatest health needs and the fewest GPs, according to Mr Streeting.
