A report led by a cross-party commission of former ministers and health experts has highlighted the current national health crisis, the state of national finances and what this means for people’s lives. The commission calls for an ‘Emergency Programme for Better Health’ and argues that it is imperative to reduce the spiralling personal, economic, and social costs of the nation’s “sickness explosion”.

The UK has a population health emergency — an ageing society, rapidly rising demand on the NHS, and among the worst population health in Europe. Millions become prematurely ill, needlessly degrading lives and then drop out of work, costing £15 bn of higher welfare costs and lower tax revenues in 2022/23 as a result.

The commissioners state that over the next five years:

  • 500,000 people will die from smoking and air pollution
  • Sixteen million people will be obese, as will 25 per cent of all 10-year-olds

Commenting on the report, Lord Geoffrey Filkin, former Labour government minister and chairman of the Covenant for Health Commission, said, “Our ‘health’ system prioritises treating people when they are ill but grossly neglects action to keep them healthy. This outdated model means millions of lives are degraded by avoidable illnesses and results in unbearable costs for individuals, society, and the economy.

“We have a population health emergency — poor population health, more older people, ballooning demand, and costs on the NHS are leading to a sickness explosion. We need a radical change of mentality to prioritise prevention with an Emergency Programme for Health. We know how to do so, we can make great improvements rapidly, and this essential reform will cost little.”

The report, ‘A Covenant for Health’ sets out how to bring this about in practice with actions to make it easier for people to live healthy lives, to help the millions who want to quit smoking, to reduce the numbers at risk of obesity, to clean the air people breathe, reduce heart disease and stroke and help our children grow up healthy.

They show that the public want much more action to address obesity, junk food, dirty air, mouldy homes, and support for communities to be healthier; they call for a new alliance across society and politics to do this, in a Covenant for Health.

Lord James Bethell, former Conservative government health minister, said, “The Office for Budgetary Responsibility made clear we are on the road to financial ruin unless we make our society healthier. The time has come to fix our politics so we can reboot the health of the nation. Our leaders should recognise the public do support measures to tackle smoking, obesity, heart disease and other chronic illnesses and address junk food, and dirty air, to support healthy communities and to engage people in their own health.”

Professor Theresa Marteau DBE, Cambridge University, added, “Essential reading for all those drafting credible plans for social justice, economic growth and NHS sustainability, this succinct report identifies evidence-based policies and partnerships that could achieve important and affordable change within 5 to10 years to improve our nation’s health.”

Dame Carol Black DBE, chair, Centre for Ageing Better, added, “This is a welcome report, seeking over a five- to ten-year period to sustainably improve the poor health of the UK population. For the first time since the industrial revolution, poor health is now detracting from both growth and wellbeing. The report makes it clear that we know what would bring about change. It describes the barriers and has identified policies and practices that would, if adopted, lead to healthier and longer lives.”

In five to 10 years, the commission’s recommendations would help:

  • Three million people quit smoking.
  • Four million people avoid obesity.
  • Four million be more active.
  • Five million people have less risk of CVD.
  • And many more children to be physically and mentally healthy.

The cross-party group of experts conclude that this would cost less than continuing as we are, it would enjoy wide public support and help millions live longer in good health.

Richard Murray, chief executive of The King’s Fund, said, “The health of the nation is in bad shape. Whether looking at life expectancy, levels of chronic ill health, inequalities, mental health or the drivers of poor health like obesity, England’s recent record is poor and often compares badly to our neighbours.

“Apart from the obvious fact that no-one wants to be ill or to die prematurely, this state of affairs weighs heavily on the economy and the Exchequer, whether in terms of higher treatment costs, increased welfare payments or the loss of potential staff to ill health at a time when many parts of the economy are facing deep workforce shortages.

“Tackling this problem is not just a job for the NHS – we cannot treat our way out of a public health crisis. Improving the nation’s health will require urgent cross-government action that encompasses better quality housing, policies to ensure the air we breathe is clean and the use of tax and regulation to encourage healthy behaviours. And beyond national government, local councils, the NHS, businesses and charities all have power to improve the health of their employees, citizens and beneficiaries.

“England is at risk of drifting into a deeper health crisis and the upcoming general election will be a critical moment for the government to adopt a different approach. I hope political leaders take seriously the measures outlined in this timely new report.”

The report was discussed at an event hosted by The King’s Fund on July 19, 2023.

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