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Health inequalities
Health inequalities in the UK are longstanding and deeply rooted.
There is no single cause. Instead, they arise from a complex interplay of factors, including:1
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Variable access to healthcare
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Lack of early intervention
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Delays in diagnosis
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Environmental and social factors
(e.g., housing, education, income)
People from ethnic minority backgrounds, those living with long-term conditions, and individuals in the most deprived communities experience higher mortality rates and more severe illness than the wider population.2
Working together to drive change
Periods of sustained pressure on the healthcare system have shown that meaningful progress and innovation are possible when organisations work together with a shared sense of purpose. Through collaboration, solutions can be delivered at pace, focusing effort where it matters most.
However, these same pressures have also exposed the persistent inequalities that exist across the UK.
At Novartis UK, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives, and we continue to adapt how we work to deliver value across the NHS. Reducing disparities in health is embedded into our processes, with project initiation documents explicitly considering how each collaborative working initiative addresses health inequalities.
Our health inequalities pledge
We all have a role to play in tackling health inequalities. That’s why in 2021, Novartis UK launched our health inequalities pledge - a multi-year commitment to work with partners across the healthcare ecosystem to accelerate collective action and deliver measurable impact.
Turning commitment into action
Pledges must be backed by demonstrable outcomes.
In South East London, there is a 13-year gap in life expectancy between people living in the least and most deprived areas.3
To help address this, Novartis UK partnered with South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and King’s Health Partners on a collaborative working programme comprising three sub-projects:3,4
- Stockwell Heart Health Hub
- North Lewisham Lifestyle Medicine Service
- Lambeth CVD and Wellbeing Bus
Co-created with local stakeholders, these initiatives were designed to improve access to care and target cardiovascular health inequalities at community level.
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Real image supplied by the project
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At Novartis UK, we see it as both our responsibility and opportunity to drive positive social change by making health equity central to our mission.
We work with governments, healthcare providers, patient groups, and communities to reduce health inequalities. Our influence extends beyond medicines – through inclusive hiring, responsible investment, promoting diversity, and supporting sustainability.
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References:
NHS England (2019), Place Based Approaches to reducing Health Inequalities, Available from https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/EDC03-Place-Based-Approach-Health-Inequalities.pdf [Last accessed June 2026]
The Health Foundation (2020). Will COVD-19 be a watershed moment for health inequalities? Available from: https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/briefings/will-covid-19-be-a-watershed-moment-for-health-inequalities [Last accessed: June 2026]
Health Innovation Network. CVD Health Inequalities projects in South East London. Available from: https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HIN_Report-SEL_HI_CVD_report.pdf
[Last accessed: June 2026]Novartis UK. King’s Health Partners. Available from: https://www.novartis.com/uk-en/about/partnerships/collaborative-working/kings-health-partners [Last accessed: June 2026]
UK | June 2026 | FA-11624091 Fictional patient and healthcare professional images.
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Adverse events should also be reported to Novartis online through the pharmacovigilance intake (PVI) tool at www.novartis.com/report, or alternatively email [email protected] or call 01276 698370.
