Good infrastructure: a vital opportunity to improve health equity Our joint response to the National Infrastructure Committee's call for evidence

We partnered with the UCL Institute of Health Equity to respond to the consultation on the National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA), the National Infrastructure Commission’s assessment of the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs over the next 30 years.

Together we argued that the NIA is a significant opportunity to shape health in the UK. In particular:

• Evidence clearly shows that infrastructure and policy changes in broad realms of economics and business have considerable and lasting impact on health, and health inequalities.
• Good infrastructure investment will decrease health inequalities and avoid costs.
• Infrastructure planning has the potential to help close the gap in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between the wealthiest and those less advantaged.

The National Infrastructure Commission so far has missed the opportunity to raise considerations of health, health equity and well being impacts within its scope and questions.  

To support the important work of the National Infrastructure Commission, we are interested in convening organisations with acknowledged expertise on national and international health, well being and inequalities, and how to shape infrastructure to improve health.