Health Equalities: Are we there yet?

Evelyn Asante-MensahInterim Chief Executive

How things have changed

HIV in black communities in the 80s and early 90’s

A hidden issue

Raising the issues and facing

A mountainof prejudice

A changing policy scene

We have seen big changes

The Human Rights ActThe Public SectorEquality DutyThe Equality Delivery SystemBut is that now all under threat? ...

The bigger picture ….

Seeing the bigger picture is recognising this is all about

Human RightsAnd the principles behind them

Freedom

Respect

Equality

Dignity

Autonomy

The impact of austerity….

Unemployment, unstable jobs, zero-hours

Poor housing, fuel poverty

4 million not properly fed … more food banks

With impacts on health and wellbeing

The personal stories…

Patient refugee, fleeing violence from another city, staying in a temporary voluntary sector night shelter (winter initiative) every night last week, presented looking for mental health support and medication.

Previously on antidepressants, no money, all worldly goods with him in a small bag, winter initiative closing at end of week and no idea where to go now.

Signposted to State homeless centre but as no local connection unlikely to be housed for more than 28 days, given basic food and toiletriesfrom health centre stock, very distressed/sobbing.

The personal stories…

Woman, mid 40s, with chronic depression and multiple previous suicide attempts. She also suffers from angina and has had a previous MI. She has recently been deemed fit for work, but is appealing this decision.

Money is extremely tight, and she and her boyfriend are currently surviving on his benefits alone. She has suffered from physical, sexual and emotional abuse all her life and her current relationship is no exception. She wants to visit her daughter (whose young child has recently been removed from her care), but can’t afford the coach fare – she is waiting for her daughter to pay it as her partner refuses to. The daughter in turn is waiting for her own benefits to come through. Another daughter is homeless.

The personal stories…

The Tuesday started with half an hour on the phone to give the police the relevant medical information for two of our patients who had been found dead in their homes the previous day.

Separate incidents – both in their thirties and both with drug paraphernalia around – one with a tourniquet still on his arm the other recently self discharged from hospital with cirrhosis.

I think we get inured at times to these deaths of young people, but two on the same day... This week I have felt particularly hard hit and sad. For them, for their families and friends, and for all our young folk. Where are our priorities? 

The State of Health….

We know the evidence… known it for 25 years

We know some of the solutions … or our communities do

Now we need to find away to get the solutionsin place

Over to you – any questions?

Following up on equality

For more information about BHA, our work with the British Institute of Human Rights and our magazine,

Health EqualitiesContact us atinfo@theBHA.org.uk

www.theBHA.org.uk