In order to achieve health for everyone we need
Safety, peace and security
This means peace of mind, which includes freedom from fear and violence in the home, community, nationally and internationally
Equitable social, economic and environmental conditions for health
This means fair wages, decent income, safe working conditions, clean and safe environments, decent affordable housing, affordable, safe and clean transport
Food and water security and sustainability
This means a safe and stable supply of nutritious food and clean water, and food production that does not waste resources and can be maintained indefinitely
Universally available and holistic health and social care
This means high quality health and social care throughout life, that takes account of the whole person, and which is free at the point of use and publicly provided
A fair, more equitable economic and social system that recognises the strength of social diversity and solidarity
This means a fair and equitable economic and social system that is in everybody’s interests and a recognition that different groups of people have more in common with each other than differences
Engaged, informed and politically active population
This means that people are fully involved in the democratic process and have access to unbiased information to enable them to make political judgements
Loving, supportive and respectful relationships
This means people can feel secure in their family and personal relationships without fear of violence, prejudice or interference from others.
Meaningful, accessible education for all
This means a fair and equitable education system that is tax-funded and available to all, from primary schools to higher education.
Background to the UK Charter for Health
Thirty years ago, the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion generated worldwide interest in a new public health, based on the promotion of healthy public policies, environments conducive to health, inclusive public services and community and individual action. Forty countries, including the UK, signed up to the charter. Thirty years later we have a clearer understanding of the relationships between politics, public policy and health but are still battling against the odds to realise the aims of the charter. Over the summer of 2016 the Politics of Health Group working with The Equality Trust and Birmingham City University, held a number of events around the country, where people and organisations from across the social spectrum gathered to discuss how we can achieve health justice in the UK.
The findings from these meetings fed into a national event on 23rd November 2016 when over 100 people came together at Birmingham City University to work on a new charter for health for the UK – specifically, a charter that challenges health inequalities head on. Kate Pickett (co-author, with Richard Wilkinson, of The Spirit Level) made a powerful case for change, demonstrating how the economic model that has held sway for over 30 years has not only failed to shift the gross inequalities in health that are a stain on British society, but has exacerbated them. The day resulted in ideas aplenty for policy and action.
The UK Charter for Health is drawn from the ideas and feedback from the meetings held in 2016 (for details see here), and from other similar work such as the Politics of Health Group Charter for Health, The Scottish People’s Health Manifesto and student work at the university. Over the coming period we hope that concerned communities, organisations, professionals, politicians, activists and campaigners will use the charter to promote discussion and develop ideas for action to reduce inequalities in health. We want the charter to become a catalyst for a new strategic direction – one that recognises the social and economic determinants of poor health – and by putting the charter into practice make it a powerful tool for change.