MPs from across the UK, including Ayoub Khan MP for Birmingham Perry Barr and Shockat Adam MP for Leicester South, united to celebrate the launch of the Health Equals Parliamentary Champions Network, an initiative dedicated to tackling the stark health inequalities that exist in the UK, cutting thousands of lives short every year.
In parts of the West Midlands, life expectancy is 14 years lower than in some other parts of the UK, and evidence shows that health inequalities are getting worse. Health Equals, a coalition of 27 organisations across different sectors including Mind, the British Red Cross, Citizens Advice, Shelter, Crisis, People’s Health Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is calling on the new Government to prioritise the essential building blocks of health - from quality homes that are warm and safe, to stable jobs, clean air, neighbourhoods with green space, and social connections – that impact our health and how long we live.
The Parliamentary Champions Network will create a powerful alliance of cross-party local MPs working together to elevate these critical issues within Westminster, ensuring that action on the building blocks of health is front and centre in national policymaking to improve health outcomes and reduce the gap in life expectancy. Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals commented: “Today marks an important step forward in putting health at the heart of government and raising awareness of the importance of a cross-government approach to reducing health inequalities.
“Our health is shaped by the world around us - stable jobs, quality housing, and clean environments are vital to wellbeing. Yet, these essential building blocks are not accessible to everyone.
“The ONS recently released new life expectancy data for England and Wales showing further evidence of over a decade of stalling health. Too many regions in the UK risk being left behind without robust policies that prioritise health and well-being.
“This is an injustice we must address together, and we look forward to campaigning alongside the Parliamentary Champions Network to make health equal.” Hosted by Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields, alongside Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton and Public Health and Prevention Minister, and Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals, the reception was attended by MP’s, peers and members and supporters of the Health Equals coalition.
Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: “I am proud to be a Health Equals Parliamentary champion to 'Make Health Equal' for the people of Birmingham Perry Barr. In parts of my constituency, life expectancy is 12 years shorter than in other parts of the UK, due to factors like income, housing and air quality.
“This is shocking, but it doesn’t have to be this way so I'm committing to work to tackle health inequalities and narrow the health gap between parts of the UK. Because everyone has the right to good health and wellbeing, no matter who they are or where they’re from.”
Guests also heard from Dominic Watters, a Food Foundation ambassador who lives in Canterbury with first-hand lived experience of food insecurity and poverty. Dominic, council estate single dad, and Community Researcher at University of Southampton, said: “It’s like if you’re poor your years aren’t worth as much as others.
“Our daily reality is riddled with food and fuel insecurity, and with the black mould and asbestos all over the block we can barely breathe fresh air.” In a powerful visual statement highlighting the urgent need to address health inequalities, Health Equals photographed 50 babies as part of its campaign to Make Health Equal, showcasing the shocking range of life expectancies across different towns and cities in the UK.
This poignant imagery served as a backdrop for the event, reinforcing the message that every child deserves the same opportunity for a healthy life, no matter where they are born, work or live.
