Liverpool Hope University has collaborated with MPs, health experts, policymakers, businesses and charities to find solutions to the growing issue of health inequality.
The University hosted the Inequalities and Health Summit on Tuesday 29 October, welcoming some of the most powerful voices on health and social care, social justice and poverty to its Creative Campus.
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth; Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Region; and Cllr Liz Parsons- Councillor for Kensington & Fairfield Ward and Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care were among the 200 delegates in attendance.
Organised in response to the council’s State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 report, the event was opened by Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp, and aimed to find effective and sustainable ways to address widening health inequalities in the North West.
Reflecting on the summit, Professor Ashton said: “I was delighted to speak at the conference today and talk about Liverpool’s Health 2040 report, which shows that unless we change what we’re doing, health is still going to be bad.
“The point I tried to make at the conference was that poverty is avoidable, inequalities are avoidable, and we just need to work together with a common purpose to make poverty history.”
The programme included a combination of knowledge exchange sessions, workshops and expert-led presentations, providing delegates with an opportunity to learn and plan ways to tackle issues on a local and national level.
Among the topics discussed were food insecurity, health and housing and health inequalities in marginalised communities.
“The Health and Inequalities Summit is crucial,” added Cllr Jane Corbett.
“We need to focus on moving this forward rapidly now because the response we need has to be embedded for now and into the future. To be able to understand health and inequality together and push that message out and hold onto it is important so I really welcome this conference.”
Dr Natalija Atas, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Social Care at Liverpool Hope University and Co-founder of the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN), said: “I am truly pleased to see such a high level of turnout and engagement at the summit.
“I wholeheartedly believe that one of the most effective ways to drive positive societal change is by mobilising people and amplifying voices striving to address issues such as poverty and inequality.
“I am grateful and honoured to work alongside colleagues across Liverpool John Moores and Liverpool Hope Universities - Dr Hannah Madden, Dr Simona Palladino, Dr Robin Owen, and Dr Richard Webb - in organising this impactful summit.
“We will ensure we put forth our best efforts to sustain this engagement and continue the conversation in the future.”