The world around us shapes our health and the wellbeing of society overall – from decent homes that are warm and safe, to stable jobs, clean air, and neighbourhoods with green space. These are the essential building blocks of health and wellbeing.
But these building blocks aren’t available to everyone in the same way. Right now, in the UK, things like poverty and poor living conditions are damaging health, reducing life expectancy and widening health inequalities – all driven by the circumstances in which people are born, live and work.
And while much is known about the impact of these wider determinants on health, this evidence has not been translated into coherent policy action in the UK. Health Equals is setting out to create the political and public buy in, and cross-sector action, to influence national policy and create lasting change on health inequalities in the UK.
Health Equals is a coalition of cross-sector organisations who want equal opportunity for health and wellbeing, for everyone.
Bringing together expertise, influence and evidence to create change, and working with people who understand what impacts health, Health Equals is shaping a society where each of us has our best chance of good health, no matter who we are or where we’re born, work or live.
Through powerful and evidence-based campaigns, Health Equals wants to:
Health Equals brings together 28 member organisations and over 100 supporter organisations across different sectors, including the Health Foundation, who all want to make a positive difference to society’s health and wellbeing.
Explore the Health Equals coalition.
Health Equals' most recent and award-winning campaign, Hazmat Loungewear, was created to spotlight the 1 in 4 people in Britain living in homes affected by damp, mould and cold, and the very real impact poor-quality housing has on our physical and mental health.
To find out more, visit the Health Equals website and follow Health Equals on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About 4 mins
A suite of housing reforms presents a major step forward for reducing health harms from ‘non-decent’ homes – but their delivery and enforcement must be given equal priority, funding and focus.
About 4 mins
Global Action Plan’s director of policy and campaigns sets out why Health Equals are focusing on air pollution as a public health and social justice issue.
About 4 mins
Jo Bibby reflects on what Health Equals has achieved this year, particularly through the success of its Make Health Equal campaign.
About 6 mins
We spoke to Charles Kwaku-Odoi, CEO of the Caribbean and African Health Network. He leads the work in eradicating the health inequalities experienced by black people in the UK, and explains the i...
About 4 mins
We should remember the scale of Beveridge’s ambition, and that the NHS was always intended to be part of a broader system of support.
About 3 mins
Jo Bibby describes the new Health Equals campaign – #LivesCutShort – and why it’s important to get the public talking about health inequalities.
About 1 min
Carrie Hume, new Head of the Collaboration for Wellbeing and Health, explains her interest in health inequalities, and why public campaigning is so important.
About 4 mins
How will the Collaboration for Wellbeing and Health change the conversation about what makes us healthy and influence national policy? Cathy Irving explains.
About 4 mins
Our Director of Health, Jo Bibby explores how we need to put improving health at the heart of our plans for recovery from COVID-19.
About 4 mins
The chief executive of NPC describes their innovative work creating a COVID-19 data dashboard, to help charities and funders access and use relevant data to tackle the pandemic more effectively.