Derby set to adopt national framework to tackle health gaps

Derby is set to take a significant step towards tackling health inequalities by adopting a nationally recognised framework, which focuses on the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.

It is set to become the first city in the East Midlands to adopt the ‘Marmot (Health Equity) Place Framework’, which currently covers 40% of the population in England.

Rather than just treating illness, the framework involves embedding health equity across all local policies, services and partnerships to tackle the root causes of poor health.

Despite ongoing work to improve public health and wellbeing, persistent health inequalities remain in Derby, with life expectancy remaining below the national average.

Where people live, however, impacts their health. Men in the most affluent areas live 11.2 years longer than those in the most deprived parts, while for women, the gap is 10.8 years.

There are also significant differences in the number of years people can expect to live in good health.

People living in Derby’s most affluent neighbourhoods can expect to live in good health for roughly 19 years longer than those in the most disadvantaged areas.

Derby City Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the new approach when it meets on Wednesday.

Councillor Alison Martin, the city council’s cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “Everyone in Derby deserves the chance to live a long, healthy life.

“Right now, health inequalities in the city are far too significant.

“While the NHS and others work incredibly hard every day, and are getting waiting lists and times down, we also need to bring a more cohesive and systematic approach to addressing some of the wider determinants of health, such as housing, employment, and poverty.

“Adopting the Marmot framework would help us put well-being for all at the heart of every single decision the council makes, with the aim of  helping residents live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.”

Subject to cabinet approval, the Institute of Health Equity (IHE) will embark on a two-year partnership with Derby City Council, expected to run from autumn 2026 to September 2028.

The proposed programme of work will deliver an overarching framework designed to strengthen and align the council’s existing plans, including its Health and Wellbeing and Anti-Poverty strategies.

The framework is named after Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who has published two groundbreaking reports on health inequality and founded the IHE at University College London.