The Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA) is a coalition of organisations with an interest in improving the health of the UK who have come together under the umbrella of The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), to campaign for a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities. There are over 150 members of which VHS is one. Membership is open to any not-for-profit organisation that has an interest in reducing health inequality, particularly those working in the areas of health, social care and local government.
In February 2020, following the publication of Health Equity in England: the Marmot Review 10 years on, the RCP wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, together with other Medical Royal Colleges and the Royal Colleges of Midwifery and Nursing, urging him to adopt the recommendations of the report.
In October 2020, they wrote to the Prime Minister again to ask the UK government to do three things:
- develop a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities
- commence the socio-economic duty, section 1 of the Equality Act 2010
- adopt a ‘child health in all policies’ approach.
The RCP is working hard to put pressure on the Prime Minister to respond to the letter, so every new member of the IHA makes its voice more powerful. They say, “We know the fact we haven’t received a response yet is frustrating, but it’s all the more reason to keep making some noise. It would be great to use some of the materials we have developed to help raise the profile of the issues we are campaigning for”.
You can use the Message Bible for press statements, briefings, parliamentary questions or social copy. Please do keep mentioning the IHA when you’re in meetings with politicians or telling people about your work on health inequality via emails, social media and the rest.
It’s not too late for some New Year’s resolutions. The materials in the Message Bible and below can be used to draw attention to the letter and ask the Prime Minister to commit to a cross-government strategy to reduce inequalities as a New Year’s resolution.
If you have any questions or ideas you can email the RCP Policy Team.
