Liverpool Hope University to host North West health inequalities summit
Liverpool Hope University is inviting people from across the North West to come together to find solutions to the growing issue of health inequality.
The University is hosting the Inequalities and Health Summit on Tuesday 29 October, when academics, policy-makers, health professionals, businesses, third-sector organisations, activists and local residents will seek to find effective and sustainable ways to address widening health inequalities in the region.
Some of the most powerful voices on health and social care, social justice and poverty will be in attendance, including Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Region; Katie Schmuecker, Principal Policy Adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth; and Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp.
This action-focused summit aims to drive change in the North West.
It has been organised by Liverpool Hope University in response to the worrying trends highlighted in Professor Ashton’s State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 report. The report states that unless changes are made, the city’s residents are facing:
– Spending more than a quarter of their life (26.1%) in ill health
– A fall in women’s life expectancy by one year and a fall in women’s healthy life expectancy by four years
– An increase of up to 38,000 more people living with major illness, defined as at least two long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, asthma and chronic kidney disease
– Double the number of adults experiencing depression.
The event will comprise a combination of knowledge exchange sessions, workshops and expert-led presentations. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn and plan ways to tackle health and inequality issues on a local and national level.
Dr Natalija Atas, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Social Care at Liverpool Hope University and Co-founder of the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN), said: “The UK is facing a health emergency that cannot be ignored.
“Widening health inequalities, the cost of living crisis, and a decrease in life expectancy are affecting the most vulnerable groups in our society. These are complex issues impacted by social, structural, political and environmental challenges that need attention.
“This summit offers a unique opportunity for people in the region to come together, share their experiences, and learn from experts working to create lasting change. By attending, you’ll not only gain valuable insights but also become part of a collective effort to address these inequalities and improve health for everyone in our region.”
Professor Matt Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “Addressing health inequalities and responding to poverty is a crucial challenge for Liverpool and the wider region, and it’s clear that this work cannot be done in isolation.
“That’s why the Health and Inequalities Summit is so important – bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders to collaborate on solutions that will not only improve health outcomes but also have far-reaching impacts on our economy and public services.
“Tackling health inequalities is everyone’s business, and we welcome anyone with a shared commitment to work with us to help create a healthier, fairer future for all.”
The Inequalities and Health Summit takes place at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus on Tuesday 29 October between 8.30am and 5.15pm. It has been organised by:
– Dr Natalija Atas, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Social Care at Liverpool Hope University
– Dr Richard Webb, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Nutrition at Liverpool Hope University
– Dr Hannah Madden, Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University
– Dr Simona Palladino, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University
– Dr Robin Owen, Lecturer in Sport Psychology at Liverpool Hope University.
Tickets for this event are priced at £70 and you must register your attendance by Friday 18 October.
Find out more about the summit on the Liverpool Hope University website and book your place in the online store.
Please note: The organising team have a small budget to help those who do not have the funds to purchase a ticket. Please email action@hope.ac.uk for more information.
Liverpool Hope is one of four Catholic universities in England.
