Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce health inequalities amongst older people.

Public Health England’s (PHE) older people and dementia work programme uses a range of approaches to help reduce inequalities amongst older people. These include: influencing and commissioning research evidence, publishing resources and tools to support improved commissioning by local authorities and the National Health Service, pilot programmes, collaborating with a range of third sector organisations who are working in the field, and advising the Department.

The NHS Health Check programme aims to target the major causes of premature death, ill health and inequalities in England. Since April 2013, almost five million people aged 40-74 have benefitted from this service. Evidence suggests that the greatest uptake is seen in more deprived communities and older adults.

PHE works closely with local areas to tackle health inequalities. For example, PHE is supporting local authorities to respond to the needs of older drug and alcohol users, particularly an ageing group who are experiencing poor physical and mental health and are more susceptible to alcohol or drug related death.