--- title: Tackling health inequalities | Newcastle University | Policy impact description: Policy that aims to target health inequalities in order to reduce the health gap. image: https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hubfs/ourwork-key-health-818x428.jpg --- ![Health (Desktop 1800x1213)](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Health%20(Desktop%201800x1213).jpg?length=1920&name=Health%20(Desktop%201800x1213).jpg) # Tackling Health Inequalities Improving the wellbeing and productivity of disadvantaged communities. - [Home](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/homepage?hsLang=en) - [Our Work](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work?hsLang=en) - Tackling Health Inequalities ## **The health gap** [Professor Clare Bambra](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/clarebambra.html), Professor of Public Health, is one of the leading academics in the UK focused on understanding and reducing health inequalities. She has published several major reports into these issues, most recently to explore the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on worsening health outcomes in the most marginalised and disadvantaged communities, including in the North of England. Clare is a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator, and regularly has leadership roles in research collaborations.  ![profclarebambra-575x355](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/profclarebambra-575x355.jpg?length=582&name=profclarebambra-575x355.jpg) ## **Widening inequality in health** During the first year of the pandemic, Covid-19 had a disproportionate impact on the North. Among the published findings, figures showed: - Northerners were more likely to die from Covid-19 - long-term health conditions were higher for people living in deprived areas - long-term health conditions were higher for people from certain minority ethnic groups - those in the North are also experiencing a larger drop in mental wellbeing ## **Barriers to growth** Research suggests these inequalities cost the British economy **£7.3 billion in lost productivity**. Health inequalities remain a huge barrier to economic growth. Up to 30% of the regional productivity gap is due to higher rates of poor health in the North. The **Levelling Up** agenda is now an opportunity to improve these outcomes. Reducing the health gap is now, more than ever, of crucial importance. Professor Bambra encourages the publication of the Health Disparities White Paper without delay. ## **Levelling Up health** Professor Bambra has developed a five-point framework to address health inequalities. Her framework provides practical, evidence-based policy recommendations: - making interventions healthy by default and easy to use - focusing on long-term solutions working across many sectors - tailoring initiatives at a local level - targeting disadvantaged communities - allocating resources according to need ![health-dualcolumn-575x355](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/health-dualcolumn-575x355.jpg?length=582&name=health-dualcolumn-575x355.jpg) ## **More information** Levelling Up Health: A practical, evidence-based framework  [Read more of the framework in detail](https://www.phpc.cam.ac.uk/pcu/files/2021/12/Levelling-Up-Health.pdf)  Health for Wealth[ Read more of the NHSA report in detail](https://www.thenhsa.co.uk/app/uploads/2018/11/NHSA-REPORT-FINAL.pdf) Child of the North [Read more of the report in detail](https://www.n8research.org.uk/media/Child-of-the-North-Report-2021-1.pdf) ![Protecting cultural property](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/ourwork-key-03cultural-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-03cultural-818x428.jpg) ## Protecting cultural property Go to this link Newcastle University is shaping international policy in order to protect cultural heritage. ![Shaping rural policy](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/ourwork-key-04rural-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-04rural-818x428.jpg) ## Shaping rural policy Go to this link Shaping rural policy through research and practical innovation. ![](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ourwork-key-driverless-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-driverless-818x428.jpg) ## The driverless road ahead Go to this link The popularity of driverless vehicles is growing. Policy Newcastle explores the ways it can make the industry more efficient. ![contact-newsletter-1920x600](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/contact-newsletter-1920x600.jpg?length=1180&name=contact-newsletter-1920x600.jpg) ## Mailing List [ Sign Up to our Newsletter Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-newsletter?hsLang=en) [ Home Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk?hsLang=en) [ Our work Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work?hsLang=en) [ Contact us Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/contact-us?hsLang=en)