We are too familiar with data showing the existence of inequality in non-communicable disease. The UK Health Security Agency has published new data on the current state of health inequalities in England caused by infectious diseases, as well as environmental health hazards.
The Health Inequalities in Health Protection report was published on Friday 2nd May 2025.
Key findings include:
- People living in the 20% most deprived areas in England are almost twice as likely to be admitted to hospital due to infectious diseases than the least deprived
- those living in the North-West are 30% more likely to be hospitalised for an infectious disease (3,600 per 100,000 admissions for Sept 23-Aug 24), compared to the England average (2,800 per 100,000)
- areas of high levels of deprivation typically experience higher levels of air pollution than less deprived and less ethnically diverse areas
- the scale of inequalities between ethnic groups varies by specific disease. For example, emergency admission rates for tuberculosis were 29 times higher for ‘Asian other ‘, 27 times higher for ‘Indian’ and 15 times higher for ‘Black African’, compared to ‘White British’
- People from more deprived areas are also disproportionately impacted by radiation, chemical, climate and environmental hazards through their exposure, direct impact on their health, and the exacerbation of existing health conditions.
