Marmot Review report – 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives'

The Marmot Review into health inequalities in England was published on 11 February 2010. It draws further attention to the evidence that most people in England aren’t living as long as the best off in society and spend longer in ill-health. Premature illness and death affects everyone below the top.

The report, titled 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives', proposes a new way to reduce health inequalities in England post-2010. It argues that, traditionally, government policies have focused resources only on some segments of society. To improve health for all of us and to reduce unfair and unjust inequalities in health, action is needed across the social gradient.

Central to the report's approach is to create the conditions for people to take control of their own lives. This requires action on the 'social determinants' of health. These are described as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. They can lead to health inequalities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status that arise because of inequalities in society. 

The report covers material which is of vital importance to local government. Local councils have a vital role in building the wider determinants of good health and working to support individuals, families and communities. The report relates strongly to the core business of local councils as local leaders for health improvement and the reduction of health inequalities. The Local Government Association (LGA) will be arguing for clearer recognition of this key role.

'Fair Society, Healthy Lives' – the Marmot Review – on the University College London (UCL) website

The IDeA Healthy Communities programme is supporting work to improve health at a locality level through our contribution to Total Place and to the Healthy Places, Healthy Lives programme. 'Valuing Health', a business case literature review, shows how investing in preventative public health makes sound business sense for the public sector.

'Valuing Health' – business case literature review

The IDeA Healthy Communities programme has a workstrand on the social determinants of health and is soon to publish a booklet: ‘The Social Determinants of Health and the Role of Local Government’. This will be followed up with a series of web-based resources specific to roles and functions in local government. The first of these will include:

• planning and transport
• culture and sport
• environmental sustainability and climate change
• housing and neighbourhoods.

The programme is also to launch a small development fund – £10,000 is available in total – that will support up to four examples of good practice in addressing health inequalities through action on the social determinants of health.

Useful links

Social determinants of health – for more information on this programme and on the Marmot Review.
Sir Michael Marmot leads major health review
Marmot Review Consultation Report


Page published February 2010.