Health inequalities are unnecessary and unjust

Inequalities in health exist both within and between countries. They are both unnecessary and unjust. They also create a great cost to societies, not only through the direct costs of providing health care for those with avoidable illness but also the costs of reduced participation in the workforce and lower productivity. In November 2014, these issues were brought to the fore when Glasgow hosted the 7th European Public Health Conference with the theme “Mind the Gap: Reducing Inequalities in Health and Health Care”. It was fitting for such a conference to be held in Glasgow given that the World Health Organization report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health had contrasted the very low life expectancy in one part of the city (Calton – 54 years) with that in a more affluent area nearby (Lenzie North – 82 years). Even more shocking, it showed that life expectancy in Calton lagged behind the average experience of some low income countries (India – 62 years, Philippines – 64 years)