Poor
social and economic circumstances affect health throughout life. People further
down the social ladder usually run at least twice the risk of serious illness
and premature death as those near the top’ [i]
If you
are born in poverty you will die at an earlier age than a fellow citizen born
in well off area. The mortality rate for people in areas of deprivation is 2-3
times higher than those in well off areas in Ireland.[ii] If people in poverty had
the same life expectancy as their well off counterparts 40% of deaths would be
prevented.[iii] Inequality accounts for 5,400 and 700,000
avoidable deaths every year in Ireland the EU respectively. [iv] [v] This increased mortality
affects every stage of life including higher stillbirth rates, infant and child
mortality rates, mortality rates for young adults and adults. [vi]
[i] Wilkinson, R. and M.
Marmot (2003) The Solid Facts: Social
Determinants of Health, World Health Organization Europe (second
edition).
[ii] Balanda, K. and Wilde,
J. (2003) Inequalities in Perceived
Health: A Report on the All Ireland social capital and health survey Dublin/Belfast:
Institute of Public Health in Ireland
[iii] Roberts J, Bell R.
Social Inequalities in the Leading Causes of Early Death. A Life Course
Approach. DOH 2011
[iv] Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety (2007) Health
and Social Care:Inequalities Monitoring System: Second Update Bulletin 2007, Belfast:
DHSSPS
[v] Mackenbach, J.,
Meerding, W.J. and Kunst, A. (2007) Economic
Implications of health inequalities in the European Union, Health and
Consumer Protection Directorate
[vi] Roberts J, Bell R.
Social Inequalities in the Leading Causes of Early Death. A Life Course
Approach. DOH 2011
.
