The Marmot review final report: Fair society, healthy lives
Author(s)/Editor(s): Prof Sir Michael Marmot
Publisher/Organizer: University College London
Publication date: 2010
Language: English
Overview
“People living in the most deprived neighbourhoods will on average die seven years earlier than people living in the richest neighbourhoods. Even more disturbing, people living in poorer areas not only die sooner, but spend more of their lives with disability – an average total difference of 17 years. The review has estimated the cost of health inequalities in England:
- Productivity losses of £31 – 33 billion every year
- Lost taxes and higher welfare payments in the range of £20 – 32 billion per year
- Additional NHS healthcare costs well in excess of £5.5 billion per year
The review also predicts an increase in the cost of treating the various illnesses that result from inequalities in obesity alone to rise from £2 billion per year to nearly £5 billion per year by 2025.
The review calls for health inequalities to sit alongside tackling climate change as one of society’s core priorities. Creating a sustainable future is, the review argues, compatible with action to reduce health inequalities: sustainable local communities, active transport, sustainable food production, and zero carbon houses will all have health benefits across society.