The business of health equity: Marmot review for industry

Introduction

In all countries, rich and poor, the health of the population is strongly linked to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Access to high quality healthcare is essential but it is not lack of healthcare that leads people to become ill in the first place: it is the conditions in which people live and work. Inequalities in these social conditions account for a great deal of the inequalities in health that are a major feature of all societies. These inequalities were growing in the UK even before the pandemic, during a decade of austerity, and have been further amplified by the effects of COVID-19.

Until now, focus on these issues – the social determinants of health – has been for government and civil society. The private sector has not been involved in the discussion or, worse, has been seen as part of the problem. It is time this changed. Business has a vital role to play in shaping the conditions in which people live and work and, as a result, their health. Businesses can potentially play a key role in reducing health inequalities by improving equity in the social determinants.

A mid adult woman on a sunny winters day. She is wearing casual, winter clothing and accessories. She is paying for a coffee with her credit card at a small coffee shop in a shopping arcade.

The Business of Health Equity: The Marmot review for industry

Business has a key part to play in improving social conditions that affect health and health equity. A society in which people can lead flourishing lives is a healthy society, literally and metaphorically.

Read the full report

Health inequalities: George and Sumita's life stories

By improving the health of their employees, employers can reap the benefits of a more productive workforce. In this animation share George and Sumita's life stories and see the impact of their different circumstances on their health and wellbeing.

Addressing health inequalities partnership

Research shows that the key drivers of health and health inequities are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age; businesses play an absolutely fundamental role. Hear Sir Nigel Wilson and Professor Sir Michael Marmot talk about the new report.

“We don't want exclusive capitalism where just the rich people have a healthier life. We want everybody's life expectancy to increase, not just by five years, but even more than five years in the future. The conditions of work and employment really matter.”

Sir Nigel Wilson

Group CEO

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