West Midlands life expectancy is '14 years younger' than rest of the UK

An initiative to tackle stark health inequalities in the UK has been launched - in response to alarming reports that life expectancy in the West Midlands is 14 years lower than other parts of the UK. MPs across the UK, including Perry Barr's Ayoub Khan, celebrated the launch of the Health Equals Parliamentary Champions Network.

Health Equals consists of a coalition of 27 organisations across different sectors. This includes Mind, the British Red Cross, Citizens Advice, Shelter, Crisis, People's Health Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The organisations called on the government to prioritise the 'essential building blocks of health' - from quality warm homes, stable jobs, clean air, neighbourhoods with green space and social connections - that all impact health. Air pollution in the West Midlands has been a hot topic where Asthma + Lung UK, the UK's leading lung charity, said Birmingham ranks as one of the most polluted cities in the country.

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They claimed the city had levels of toxic air almost five times higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), one of the 'most harmful pollutants'. Experts argue air pollution contributes to hundreds of premature deaths in Birmingham.

Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: "I am proud to be a Health Equals Parliamentary champion to 'Make Health Equal' for the people of Birmingham Perry Barr.

"In parts of my constituency, life expectancy is 12 years shorter than in other parts of the UK, due to factors like income, housing and air quality. This is shocking, but it doesn't have to be this way so I'm committing to work to tackle health inequalities and narrow the health gap between parts of the UK.

"Because everyone has the right to good health and wellbeing, no matter who they are or where they're from."

The event organised a powerful visual statement by photographing 50 babies as part of it's campaign to make health equal, showcasing the stark range of life expectancies across different UK towns and cities. Organisers state it reinforced the message that every child deserves the same opportunity for a healthy life, no matter where they are born, work or live.

Hosts included Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields alongside Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton. Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals attended along with MPs, peers and members and supporters of the Health Equals coalition.

Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals, said: "Today marks an important step forward in putting health at the heart of government and raising awareness of the importance of a cross-government approach to reducing health inequalities. Our health is shaped by the world around us, stable jobs, quality housing, and clean environments are vital to wellbeing.

"Yet, these essential building blocks are not accessible to everyone. The ONS recently released new life expectancy data for England and Wales showing further evidence of over a decade of stalling health.

"Too many regions in the UK risk being left behind without robust policies that prioritise health and well-being. This is an injustice we must address together, and we look forward to campaigning alongside the Parliamentary Champions Network to make health equal."

West Midlands residents can sign the Health Equals petition here.