Prioritising health and wellbeing

The pandemic underlined the complex relationships between health, wealth and the economy.

It exacerbated existing health inequalities. It increased loneliness and isolation in older and clinically vulnerable people, delayed diagnosis of cancer and other chronic conditions, and caused young people to miss education and work opportunities.

With health inequalities leading to productivity losses of between £31-33 billion each year in England alone, there is a clear economic and business case for business to help to tackle health inequality. Investing in the health system is doubly beneficial: it not only saves lives, but it is also a crucial investment in the health of the economy. In the medium term, it stimulates urban regeneration, through the development of research infrastructure and has the potential to create quality jobs. And in the long term, good health means children being more able to access an education, increase their productivity, and enjoy longer life spans.

What is health inequality?

Health inequality is defined by the Government as avoidable and unfair differences in health status between people or communities. At Legal & General, we believe we have the power and the responsibility to support reduction in health inequalities and therefore invest in the economy.

We’re prioritising health and wellbeing in three ways:
1. Investing and supporting projects

Through our capital investment and investment management businesses, we deploy capital to support projects which will drive better health outcomes, while driving urban regeneration and job creation.

Read more about our West Midlands investment

2. Working with medical and healthcare experts

We work with medical and other healthcare experts to fund research into public health and care issues, using capital to fund research and development projects which will deliver improved health outcomes for various sections of society. 

3. Protecting employee wellbeing

We take our 10,000 employees’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing very seriously. Increased expectations of employers across more sectors will help drive better mental health outcomes for more employees, with the associated improvements to quality of life and productivity.

The business of health equity: 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.

Visit the hub to find resources relating to the Marmot review including the full report and press releases