Reducing health inequalities
Health inequalities are ultimately about differences in the status of people’s health.
But the term is also used to refer to differences in the care that people receive and the opportunities that they have to lead healthy lives – both of which can contribute to their health status.
Health inequalities can therefore involve differences in:
- Health status
- Quality and experience of care
- Behavioural risks to health
- Access to health and care services
- Wider determinants of health
From carers feedback, we found that:
- Several carers would like to see specialist support groups, for parent carers, male carers or siblings
- 70% of the people surveyed identified as carers. Others who did not stated that they were “only doing what a daughter should do” or that as a parent of a disabled child (or adult) they struggled to be identified as anything more than a parent
- A third of carers admitted they need time for themselves
- Nearly 40% want more access to daycare and short term respite, such as weekends or evenings, some in their own home
- A quarter of carers surveyed stated they need more local activities and support, with 10% finding parking difficult when accessing services and 8% have tried and are struggling with public transport
- 25% of carers surveyed are struggling with the cost of living and care costs