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.