The Health The Health DivideDivide

The ReportsMany investigations into health Many investigations into health inequalities have been carried outinequalities have been carried out

• ““The General Report on the Sanitary The General Report on the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population Conditions of the Labouring Population of Great Britian” Edwin Chadwick 1842of Great Britian” Edwin Chadwick 1842

• ““The Black Report and Inequalities in The Black Report and Inequalities in Health” DHSS 1980Health” DHSS 1980

• ““Independent Inquiry into Inequalities Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health” 1998 (The Acheson Report)in Health” 1998 (The Acheson Report)

• “ “ Tackling Health Inequalities” Tackling Health Inequalities” Department of Health 2005Department of Health 2005

What do they show?Although since the Chadwick Report in the middle of the nineteenth century, the health and life expectancy of the people of this country have improved dramatically, all of the reports, including the most recent, show a strong link between poverty and poor health.

We may be rubbish at football but we do top one league……

“I belong to….”1.1. GlasgowGlasgow Shettleston Shettleston

2.2. GlasgowGlasgow Springburn Springburn

3.3. GlasgowGlasgow Maryhill Maryhill

4.4. GlasgowGlasgow Pollok Pollok

5.5. GlasgowGlasgow Anniesland Anniesland

6.6. GlasgowGlasgow Baillieston Baillieston

7.7. ManchesterManchester Central Central

8.8. GlasgowGlasgow Govan Govan

?Why

Causes of Health Inequality – a Causes of Health Inequality – a reminderreminder

• DietDiet

• ExerciseExercise

• StressStress

• HousingHousing

• OccupationOccupation

• Lifestyle Lifestyle choiceschoices

• EducationEducation

• GenderGender

• Ethnic groupEthnic group

• AgeAge

AchesonAcheson

A Case Study

DrumchapelDrumchapel

BearsdenBearsden

The FactsThe Facts• Drumchapel and Bearsden are Drumchapel and Bearsden are less less

than 1 mile apartthan 1 mile apart

• a 21 year old living in Drumchapel a 21 year old living in Drumchapel today is today is 2 ½2 ½ times more likely to die times more likely to die before the age of 65, than a 21 year old before the age of 65, than a 21 year old in Bearsden.in Bearsden.

• Before the age of 65, men in Before the age of 65, men in Drumchapel are Drumchapel are 3 times3 times more likely to more likely to die of die of heart diseaseheart disease than men in than men in BearsdenBearsden

Over the same 3 year period…The main ‘killers’ in both Drumchapel and The main ‘killers’ in both Drumchapel and Bearsden were:Bearsden were:

• Heart DiseaseHeart Disease

• Bronchial DiseaseBronchial Disease

• StrokeStroke

• Lung CancerLung Cancer

• Breast CancerBreast Cancer

Yes, but what about the Yes, but what about the numbers?numbers?

BearsdenBearsden DrumchapelDrumchapel

65 163

Let’s look back at the causesLet’s look back at the causes• Diet• Exercise• Stress• Housing• Occupation• Lifestyle• Education• Gender• Ethnic• Age

SHOELEGDAE

A Wee Reminder!

If Mr. Carson Ruled the world!

• Put 10 pence on income Put 10 pence on income tax to pay for increased tax to pay for increased benefits for poor peoplebenefits for poor people

• Ban smoking and drinking Ban smoking and drinking now! And sue the makers.now! And sue the makers.

• Set fire to chippie vans Set fire to chippie vans outside schoolsoutside schools

• Quadruple the tax on high Quadruple the tax on high fat / salt / sugar foodsfat / salt / sugar foods

Wait – I’m not finished… there’s more!!

• Padlock the doors of Padlock the doors of every McDonaldsevery McDonalds

• Give every child a Give every child a free school meal free school meal (Healthy choice of (Healthy choice of course) and lock the course) and lock the gates at lunchtime.gates at lunchtime.

• Refuse to give health Refuse to give health care to people who care to people who damage themselves damage themselves through ‘stupid’ through ‘stupid’ lifestyle choices.lifestyle choices.

Haw! Ronnie! Haud this a wee Haw! Ronnie! Haud this a wee minute will ye!minute will ye!

Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth!

You are an adviser to West Dunbartonshire Council. You have been asked to draw up a five year strategy to reduce the Health Divide in this area with a particular emphasis on young people.

You should state clearly:

• Recommendations• Reasons• Possible Problems

After all…

Does he deserve to die younger because he was born in …

• DrumchapelDrumchapel

• ShettlestonShettleston

• SpringburnSpringburn

• MaryhillMaryhill