27 organisations call on the new government to tackle Birmingham’s ‘scandalous’ health inequalities

In Birmingham, life expectancy is 14 years lower than in other parts of the UK, and evidence shows that health inequalities are getting worse.  Currently, factors like income, housing and air quality can cut your life short because of where you’re born in the UK.

Health Equals – a coalition of 27 organisations including Mind, the British Red Cross, Citizens Advice Bureau, Shelter, Crisis, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and more – has launched the #MakeHealthEqual campaign because more than one in four children in the West Midlands is living in poverty2, whilst over a third (35%) of people in the West Midlands say they do not have enough money to live well3 and air pollution in the West Midlands is too high, breaching the World Health Organisation’s healthy levels4.

To shine a spotlight on the issue of health inequalities, Health Equals photographed 50 babies to illustrate the shocking range of life expectancies across different towns and cities in the UK.

One of these babies, from Birmingham, is currently featuring on a giant billboard in the Bullring to raise awareness of the stark health inequalities which need to be addressed.

According to new research commissioned by Health Equals, when asked what people would like to see the new Government take action on to improve health - nearly three quarters (43%) of people in the West Midlands said that they would like ‘more affordable, quality housing’, 41% selected ‘improving air quality and access to nature/green spaces’ and over a third (34%) of people in the West Midlands cited ‘low income’ as having the most negative impact on our health.

Shale Ahmed, Project Leader at community-led mission, Aspire and Succeed, in Lozells, Birmingham talks about his experiences of trying to address the housing crisis in his area through his work: “There was one family who had been living in a series of hotels for four years, cramped conditions that didn’t allow them to cook and kept them from sleeping properly, which took its toll on their mental health particularly. Despite this, they were classified as Band C by the council, which means it often takes years to find social housing.

“The family didn't know what kind of paperwork to submit to upgrade them to B and A where they’d be a top priority for a permanent house. We helped them compile and submit the right evidence, showing that their accommodation was overcrowded and that they've been stuck in temporary accommodation for a long time.

“Within three months they secured a house down the road from where we’re based. The difference in their wellbeing is incredible. We see them occasionally on the street and they get really excited. They say the kids have space to study and their family is close by. Being house proud or being able to bring people over to socialise is so massive. They don’t feel ashamed or where they live any more.”

Health Equals has captured the reactions of more people in Birmingham to the life expectancy discrepancy across the UK: healthequals.org.uk/make-health-equal/west-midlands/

Health Equals is now calling for the new Labour Government to recognise the importance of the building blocks of health – stable jobs and pay, good quality and affordable homes, and neighbourhoods with green spaces and clean air – and make them a priority across Government. The coalition is calling for cross-government action on prevention, targets to be set, and for Labour to be held to account in tackling inequalities and reducing the gap in life expectancy across the UK.

Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer, Health Equals, said: “It’s scandalous that babies born in parts of the West Midlands could have their lives cut short by up to 14 years compared to other parts of the UK.

“Our health is shaped by the world around us – from the money in our pockets, to quality homes that are warm and safe, stable jobs and neighbourhoods with green space and clean air. But these essential building blocks of good health aren’t available to everyone. While individual choices and access to health care do impact our health, evidence shows these building blocks have a far stronger impact.

“Too many parts of the UK are at risk of being ‘left behind’ without policies that support these building blocks of health and wellbeing. It’s not right but we can change it. The time is now to call on the new Government to Make Health Equal.”

To keep pressure on the new Government, Health Equals has started a petition – calling on people to ask their MP to commit to tackling health inequalities. For more information and to sign the petition, visit healthequals.org.uk.

Let’s #MakeHealthEqual.