Health Inequalities

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 24 March 2021.

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Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 2:02, 24 March 2021

Minister, health inequalities in the UK and Wales are very, very concerning. Men in the most deprived communities live, on average, 10 years less than those in the least deprived, and, for women, the difference is almost eight years. And in terms of healthy years of life, the difference is almost 19 years, and that applies to both genders. So, with that sort of background, that's why the Royal College of Physicians in Wales got together around 30 organisations to look at this situation, and they were looking at research that showed that the social determinants of health or ill-health—housing, education and poverty—can be more important to health outcomes than healthcare itself or, indeed, lifestyle choices. So, in looking at this situation, they believe that there should be a more strongly cross-cutting approach from Welsh Government to involve all Ministers and all departments in changing what needs to be changed to address this totally unacceptable situation. 

So, I heard what you said, Minister, in terms of a whole-Government approach, but, in terms of those suggestions and proposals from the royal college and those 30-odd organisations, will you carefully consider what they think is needed in deciding how we can make further inroads into these longstanding issues and problems?