Health inequalities

Health Inequalities

Health inequalities are differences in health between different groups of people.

They can be caused by social, economic and environmental factors and arise in a variety of ways, such as differences in life expectancy or the prevalence of chronic diseases.

Why are health inequalities a public health issue?

Today, more of us are living longer, healthier lives. Health gaps exist, however, between richer and poorer populations in our society. Poorer populations systematically experience worse health than richer populations, according to the World Health Organization.

Environmental and socio-economic factors - where we are born, grow, work, live, and age - influence our health and can lead to poorer health outcomes and health inequalities. Commercial factors, such as advertising and marketing practices, can also impact our health and wellbeing. These social determinants of health and commercial determinants of health can contribute to health inequalities.

Modern public health practice aims to improve health for everyone; reduce the health inequality gradient and the gap between the ‘most and ‘least’ deprived population groups, and target groups experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage.

Key Facts: Life Expectancy

Gaps in life expectancy at birth for men and women

Ireland: The gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas of Ireland was 5 years for men and 4.5 years for women (2016)

Northern Ireland: The gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas of Northern Ireland was 6.9 years for men and 5 years for women (2018-2020)

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Ireland, the following policies and strategies seek to address health inequalities.

Healthy Ireland Framework (2019-2025)

Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025

Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Northern Ireland, the following policies and strategies seek to address health inequalities.

Making Life Better Strategic Framework (2013-23)

2022 Health Inequalities Annual Report

Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System

Levelling Up in the United Kingdom

Health Inequalities

Recent work on health inequalities

Since 1998, IPH has worked to reduce health inequalities on the island of Ireland by highlighting the social and commercial determinants of health that contribute to poorer health outcomes.

In 2001, the Institute published the landmark ‘Inequalities in Mortality: A report on All Ireland Mortality Data’ analysing deaths on the island between 1989 – 1999.

In 2022, a new report, ‘Unequal Chances? Inequalities in Mortality in Ireland’, commissioned by the Institute and published by the ESRI, found a fall in overall mortality rates since 2000 but that inequalities remain between different groups of the population.

As part of our ongoing health inequalities work, we provide evidence on legislation relating to tobacco and e-cigarettes, alcohol and gambling and perspectives on key public health areas, such as, breastfeeding, obesity, tobacco control, alcohol policy and climate change. See also Health Impact Assessment.

Latest Health Inequalities Resources

Health Inequalities

Suzanne Costello

IPH Chief Executive elected President of EuroHealthNet

25 Jan, 2024 - Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Health Suzanne Costello has been elected to serve as President of EuroHealthNet, the European Partnership for health, equity and wellbeing. Suzanne…

Commercial Determinants of Health Health Inequalities Public Health

Health Inequalities

Blog: Dying young from respiratory disease – are we making progress on reducing inequalities?

21 May, 2021 - In this blog, Dr Helen McAvoy, Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Health, explores what we know about excess deaths from respiratory disease in socially disadvantaged communities, and…

Chronic Conditions Health Inequalities Tobacco

Community Development

Blog for #EPHW21: The Elevate Programme – building community development to tackle health inequalities

19 May, 2021 - Today’s theme for the European Public Health Week is “Your Local Community”. Joanne Vance, Director of Community Development Health Network (CDHN) talks about the Elevate programme which…

Health Inequalities Public Health

Health Inequalities

Blog for #EPHW20: Equal health for all

14 May, 2020 - It is European Public Health Week and today’s focus is on equal health for all. Aideen Sheehan from the Institute of Public Health offers some insights on ageing, equity and health in Ireland and…

Health Inequalities Public Health