• New body to tackle health disparities across the UK, meaning men in the most disadvantaged parts of England are expected to live almost 10 years less than those in the less disadvantaged

• Preventing health problems before they develop will reduce pressure on the health and care system

• Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty will provide professional leadership to OHID

Health disparities across the UK will be addressed through a new public health approach focused on stopping debilitating health problems before they develop, such as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is launched today (Friday October 1).

OHID marks a distinct shift in focus at the heart of government by addressing the unacceptable health disparities that exist across the country to help people live longer, healthier lives and reduce strain on the healthcare system and care while work is being done to reduce the backlog and put social on a long-term sustainable basis.

The latest figures show clear trends, based on location, in a person’s life expectancy and the years they can expect to live in good health. For example:

• men in England’s poorest neighborhoods are expected to live almost 10 years less than those in the less disadvantaged. Women in the same regions can expect to live 7 years less

• smoking is more widespread in more disadvantaged neighborhoods and one of the main causes of inequalities in life expectancy; an international study found that it accounts for half of the difference in mortality between the least and the poorest men aged 35 to 39

• Obesity is widespread but more widespread in the most disadvantaged areas; the prevalence is almost 8% higher among inhabitants of the most disadvantaged decile of local authorities (66.6%) compared to inhabitants of the least disadvantaged neighborhoods (58.8%)

OHID has been set up to change that – it will coordinate an ambitious agenda between central and local government, the NHS and society at large, drawing on expert advice, analysis and evidence, to improve the public health.

Preventing the disease before it develops will help reduce the pressure on services, save a lot of money and resources, and ensure that our record investment in the health and social protection system goes as far as possible. .

Health and Social Affairs Secretary Sajid Javid said:

The pandemic has exposed the health disparities we face not only as a country, but as communities and individuals.

That must change, and this organization marks a new era of preventative health care to help people live healthier, happier and longer lives.

The Office for Improving Health and Disparities will be the driving force across government, supported by communities, academics, industry and employers, to improve the health of our country, thereby reducing the pressure on our NHS and care services.

The Secretary of Health and Social Affairs today wrote to community leaders, charities, industry experts and major employers to join the OHIDIts mission is to act on broader factors that affect people’s health, such as work, housing and education.

With about 80% of a person’s long-term health dictated not by the care they receive but by these larger factors, tackling the problem will be an intergovernmental effort.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty will provide professional leadership to OHID. The new Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, will advise the government on clinical and public health issues as co-head of OHID, alongside the Director General of DHSC to OHID, Jonathan Marron.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said:

Health inequalities in England are glaring and difficult to correct, but it is important that we do so.

Across the country, people can live healthier lives, longer. OHID will help people do it with an evidence-based approach.

Reducing health inequalities and keeping people healthier longer is in everyone’s best interest – it’s good for the individual, families, society, the economy and the NHS. That is why OHID will work collaboratively at national, regional and local levels as well as with the NHS, universities, the third sector, scientists, researchers and industry.

The biggest preventable killers, such as tobacco, obesity, alcohol and recreational drugs, cost the taxpayer billions of pounds each year to fund treatment and long-term care, while also putting pressure on society. bed capacity of health services.

To change course on these preventable problems, OHID work with the rest of government, the NHS, local government and the wider public health system and industry to improve detection and prevention of those at risk of disease, as well as the application of science, cutting-edge technology, evidence and data to target support where it’s needed most.

The pandemic has demonstrated the vital importance of having a strong public health system. As Public Health England is replaced, the new UK Health Safety Agency will focus like a laser on health protection, while OHID improve health and address disparities in health outcomes across the country. The government will continue to work as a system and with our NHS and local government partners to deliver.