Health inequalities are a pressing issue in the UK, and when it comes to children, the impact is even greater. Whether it is the higher rates of obesity in lower-income families or the lack of access to mental health services for disadvantaged groups, these inequalities are not apparent (The King's Fund, 2024). The question is, how do we address these disparities, and what role does healthcare education play in this?
Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of health inequalities. A report by Public Health England reveals that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health outcomes, including higher rates of chronic illnesses such as asthma, obesity, and presentations of faltering growth (Public Health England, 2021).
Despite the importance of tackling health inequalities, healthcare education in the UK faces significant challenges. First, there is the issue of funding. With increasing pressures on the NHS, the focus of education often leans toward clinical skills, leaving little room for addressing social determinants of health. Another challenge is when children from disadvantaged backgrounds interact with multiple healthcare providers, such as social services, mental health teams, and community clinics. These systems frequently operate in separation, making it difficult for professionals to share knowledge and offer coordinated care. To effectively combat health inequalities, healthcare education needs to incorporate the principles of social determinants of health into curriculum so that future healthcare professionals are better equipped to recognise when children are at risk from factors such as poverty, housing status, and food insecurity.
RCPCH &Us reported a summary of wishes created by children and their families for an ideal paediatrician, focusing on key themes such as consideration of their background and having a holistic approach to their worries (Children & Young People Engagement team, NA). Training professionals to communicate effectively with patients and their families in difficult circumstances can make a significant difference in the quality-of-care children receive. For instance, understanding that a child with asthma may be living in a damp, poorly ventilated home can prompt professionals to offer advice on housing assistance or direct parents to helpful resources.
Finally, healthcare education can empower medical professionals to advocate for systemic change. The next generation of health professionals will not only need to treat individual patients but also engage with policy changes that strive to reduce health inequalities. By raising awareness about programmes such as the RESPOND project or even adult action plans such as Core20PLUS5, we ensure that healthcare professionals do not only recognise the symptoms of inequality but are aware of actionable steps to dismantle its root causes (Health Policy team, NA).
In conclusion, health inequalities lead to long-term physical and emotional health outcomes. While healthcare education faces several hurdles in addressing these inequalities, it also holds the key to meaningful change. By considering how we educate healthcare professionals, we can hopefully create a future where health inequalities are avoided.
References
• Children & Young People Engagement team, NA. The ‘best doctor’ - children and young people tell us who should #choosepaediatrics, RCPCH. Available at: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/children-young-people-tell-us-who-should choosepaediatrics (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
• Health Policy team, NA. Health inequalities case studies, RCPCH. Available at: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/health-inequalities-case-studies#respond project--university-college-london-hospital-nhs-foundation-trust (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
• Public Health England, 2021. Inequalities in oral health in England. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/att achment_data/file/970380/ Inequalities_in_oral_health_in_England.pdf
• The King's Fund, 2024. Health Inequalities in a Nutshell, The King’s Fund. Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/data-and-charts/health inequalities-nutshell.
