The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) has this evening (Thursday, September 29) issued a response to reports that the Government’s health disparities white paper may not be published.

Hannah Davies, Health Inequalities Lead at the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: “It is disheartening to hear reports that the long-awaited health disparities white paper may now be scrapped. As our country faces a major cost of living crisis, with more and more people living in poverty, now is the time to take the urgent action needed to address stark and entrenched inequalities.

“The North suffers some of the worst health inequalities in the country, due to poverty and a lack of investment, and we know that children in the North get an unfair deal, experiencing worse outcomes across the board.

“If the Government is serious about its flagship levelling up agenda, then it needs to keep a clear focus on health inequalities, so that everyone, regardless of where they were born, has the chance to live a long and healthy life. To take a step back now would be devastating.”