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

Man in front of fire

Annual Update on Fuel Poverty and Health (2009)

3 Dec, 2009 - This Annual Update on Fuel Poverty (December 2009) follows the All-Ireland Policy Paper on Fuel Poverty and Health published in 2007…

Health Inequalities Housing

Group of people

DETERMINE Working document #4 ‘Economic arguments for addressing social determinants of health inequalities’

1 Dec, 2009 - The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is a partner in the European project DETERMINE, building on its previous involvement in…

Health Inequalities Social Determinants of Health

People on street

Briefing Paper on Health Inequalities for Elected Members of Local Government

30 Nov, 2009 - The social and economic circumstances in which people live strongly influence their chances to be healthy. Factors such as housing,…

Health Inequalities Housing

London showing Big Ben

IPH response to the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010

Consultation Responses

5 Aug, 2009 - IPH contributed to the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England being carried out by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Chair of…

Alcohol Health Inequalities

Crowd of people

Institute of Public Health Manifesto for 2009 European Elections

28 May, 2009 - The 2009 European Elections provide an opportunity to influence health at local and European Government level. IPH has produced a…

Health Inequalities