Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review

Inequalities are a matter of life and death, of health and sickness, of well-being and misery. The fact that in England today people in different social circumstances experience avoidable differences in health, well-being and length of life is, quite simply, unfair. Creating a fairer society is fundamental to improving the health of the whole population and ensuring a fairer distribution of good health. There is a social gradient in health, the lower a person's social position, the worse his or her health. Action should focus on reducing the gradient in health. Health inequalities result from social inequalities. Action on health inequalities requires action across all the social determinants of health. Action taken to reduce health inequalities will benefit society in many ways. It will have economic benefits in reducing losses from illness associated with health inequalities. These currently account for productivity losses, reduced tax revenue, higher welfare payments and increased treatment costs. In November 2008, Professor Sir Michael Marmot was asked by the then Secretary of State for Health to chair an independent review to propose the most effective evidence-based strategies for reducing health inequalities in England from 2010. This final report concludes that reducing health inequalities would require action on six policy objectives: 1. Give every child the best start in life. 2. Enable all children young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives. 3. Create fair employment and good work for all. 4. Ensure healthy standard of living for all. 5. Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities. 6. Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention.