Unit 12 P3
Describe the main purpose of public health reports and the role of the organisations that may use them (P3).
There were many reasons for inequalities in health in the UK. Although some parts of the country have poorer health records than others, this is linked to poverty rather than geography. Differences between the poorest and richest parts of Glasgow are greater than average differences between Scotland and South-East England.
Black Report 1980:
There were significant differences in life expectancy of at least 10 years between different groups in society. Those that were living in poverty generally had poorer life chances and poorer health because of lower living standards, including poor housing and poor diet.
Those in lower paid, unskilled jobs have a greater risk of accidents at work and can suffer from stress linked to unemployment. Professionals enjoy healthier lifestyles, not just because they have a better standard of living but also because they are more likely to be aware of health issues than unskilled workers. Similarly, women are more aware of health issues and more likely to consult doctors than men. As a result, women appear to have higher sickness rates than men, but this may reflect the fact that more male ill health is unreported. Evidence of these health inequalities were published the Black Report (1980) and other reports such as;
Acheson Report 1998:
Sir Donald Acheson 's report highlights a range of areas where health inequalities could be reduced. The report calls for an increase in benefit levels for women of childbearing age, expectant mothers, young children and older people. It says poverty has a disproportionate effect on children. In the mid-1990s, around a quarter of people in the UK were living below the poverty level. But among children, the figure was one in three. The report says children under two are more expensive to look after than older children, but Income Support levels do not reflect this. It says benefits
There were many reasons for inequalities in health in the UK. Although some parts of the country have poorer health records than others, this is linked to poverty rather than geography. Differences between the poorest and richest parts of Glasgow are greater than average differences between Scotland and South-East England.
Black Report 1980:
There were significant differences in life expectancy of at least 10 years between different groups in society. Those that were living in poverty generally had poorer life chances and poorer health because of lower living standards, including poor housing and poor diet.
Those in lower paid, unskilled jobs have a greater risk of accidents at work and can suffer from stress linked to unemployment. Professionals enjoy healthier lifestyles, not just because they have a better standard of living but also because they are more likely to be aware of health issues than unskilled workers. Similarly, women are more aware of health issues and more likely to consult doctors than men. As a result, women appear to have higher sickness rates than men, but this may reflect the fact that more male ill health is unreported. Evidence of these health inequalities were published the Black Report (1980) and other reports such as;
Acheson Report 1998:
Sir Donald Acheson 's report highlights a range of areas where health inequalities could be reduced. The report calls for an increase in benefit levels for women of childbearing age, expectant mothers, young children and older people. It says poverty has a disproportionate effect on children. In the mid-1990s, around a quarter of people in the UK were living below the poverty level. But among children, the figure was one in three. The report says children under two are more expensive to look after than older children, but Income Support levels do not reflect this. It says benefits
References: The Black Report (1980). Inequalities in Health. (2014) http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/modern/uksociety/health/revision/1/ (accessed on the 06/10/14) Acheson Report (1998). Health, the Acheson Report Up Close (2014) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/222649.stm (accessed on the 06/10/14) Department of Health. (1999). Saving Lives: our Healthier Nation. London Stationary office. Tackling Health Inequalities a Programme for Action (2003). Inequalities in Health. (2014) http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://dh.gov.uk/en/publichealth/healthinequalities/index.htm (accessed on the 06/10/14) Department of Health (1999) http://www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/general/Choosing_Health-EasyRead-DoH.pdf Department of Health (1999)