Health Inequalities

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:03 pm on 24 March 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:03, 24 March 2021

Yes, and I think the Royal College of Physicians report is a useful reminder of the need to have cross-Government action, because most healthcare inequalities don't come from healthcare activity, they come from those determinants outside. It's why, for example, the World Health Organization has recognised the direct healthcare impact of our improvements in housing quality. The reality that having a good-quality warm home makes a real difference to your health is something that has been recognised internationally, and praised for our approach here in Wales. I'm pleased to say you can see that continued leadership from Julie James as our housing Minister, improving housing quality stock and the environmental footprint as well. You see it in the work across education, the work we've done and the conversations yesterday with Kirsty Williams and the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee about that broader approach to children and young people's health, and their health literacy for mental and physical health. You'll see that in the work that Ken Skates has undertaken on the economic contract, making sure that mental and physical health are understood as key outcomes from a good working relationship, where people have good work, good terms and conditions. If you look at healthcare inequalities, they always match over economic inequalities as well. We've made some progress, progress that I think we can be proud of. We know that there's much more to do and a real opportunity to do so as we look to rebuild Wales after this pandemic, to finish the job with the pandemic and rebuild a better, fairer Wales.