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National Level Policies

The National Level Policies section of the portal provides an overview of
the actual situation concerning actions to tackle health inequalities in the
different European countries.

This part of the portal is currently being developed, the information for the remaining countries will continuously be completed.

In addition to the national level portraits of the individual countries the
overview analysis has been conducted and its initial results have been
published in EuroHealth magazine (EuroHealth, 11:2 p.24).

Download the final 'Closing the Gap' publication: Taking Action on Health Equity.

This publication contains summaries of what each of the 21 ´Closing the Gap´ partners are doing to address health inequalities in their countries, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of this 3-year initiative.

Results of the same country

List all good practice projects of the actual country.

You are here: > National Level Policies > England > Policies, strategies and other documents > Documents

Key Documents

Key Policy Documents

This section provides the key documents on health inequalities published on a national level in England in the  past decade.

"Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" (1999) Department of Health

It presents the comprehensive strategy for England and Wales. Government action plan aimed at tackling poor health particularly for those who are worst off in society. The targets set aim to reduce deaths caused by the four main killers, cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes, accidents and mental illness.

“Tackling Inequalities in Health: A Programme for Action” (2003) Department of Health”

This Programme for Action sets out plans to tackle health inequalities over the next three years. It establishes the foundations required to achieve the challenging national target for 2010 to reduce the gap in infant mortality across social groups, and raise life expectancy in the most disadvantaged areas faster than elsewhere.

“Tackling Health Inequalities: Status Report on the Programme for Action”

The status report provides a review of developments against the data since the publication of the Programme for Action in 2003. It considers progress against the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target, the national headline indicators and against government commitments. The report highlights the challenging nature of the health inequalities PSA target for 2010.

“Choosing Health - making healthier choices easier” (2004) Department of Health

This White Paper sets out the key principles for supporting the public to make healthier and more informed choices in regards to their health. The Government will provide information and practical support to get people motivated and improve emotional wellbeing and access to services so that healthy choices are easier to make. Although not the focus of the paper, health inequalities are one of the central areas.

Tackling health inequalities: 2007 Status Report on the Programme for Action

The status report provides a review of developments against the data since the publication of the Programme for Action in 2003. It considers progress against the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target, the national headline indicators and against government commitments. The report highlights the challenging nature of the health inequalities PSA target for 2010.

An example of the regional policy paper focusing on health inequalities.

“Investment for Health Strategy: A Public Health Strategy for the East Midlands”

A region- wide strategy that aims to improve the health of East Midlands residents by unifying and prioritising public health efforts with the primary aim of reducing health inequalities.

An example of the local policy paper focusing on health inequalities.

"Reducing Health Inequalities - Issues for London and Priorities for Action" (2007) Mayor of London

Living Well in London

The Mayor of London has publised 'Living Well in London' his latest consulation document outlining plans to tackle health inequalities in the Greaer London area.

Health inequalities: progress and next steps

This document outlines the Government’s approach to hit the 2010 health inequalities Public Service Agreement targets, assessing what has and has not worked, and setting the direction of travel beyond 2010. The partial equality impact assessment sets out some of the current health inequalities and potential interventions to reduce and eliminate these inequalities.

Other Publications  

• Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health (1998) Report of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health, (H. Graham, M. Marmot and M. Whitehead contributory authors), London: The Stationery Office.
• Graham, H. (2000) (ed.) Understanding Health Inequalities, Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Marmot, M. & Wilkinson, R. G. (1999). Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• In 2003, a cross-government Programme for Action to tackle health inequalities was published.
• In 2004 a public health white paper was published, titled Choosing Health: Making healthy choices easier.
• A 2007 Status Report on the Tackling Health Inequalities Programme for Action, was published in March 2008. This picks up the whole range of policies relating to health inequalities across the government.