The Growing Health Divide Between Rich and Poor

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Global health challenges have become more complex in recent years, revealing a stark divide between the health outcomes of the wealthy and impoverished.

Health outcomes are generally better for the wealthiest members of society. With access to top-tier healthcare, living in neighbourhoods that often benefit from health programs. On the other hand, for poorer areas of society access to quality healthcare is restricted with long wait times, and once medical help is accessed it is after conditions have gotten worse.

Recent studies have shown men and women that are seen as wealthier can expect to live an additional eight to nine years compared to those in the poorest groups.

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I spoke with a woman who wishes to remain anonymous about some of the struggles she faced whilst trying to receive treatment from the NHS. She said: “When I went to my GP about persistent symptoms, I was brushed off and told it was probably nothing. It took me months of pushing to finally get a referral, by which point my condition had worsened. The waiting times alone feel like a barrier—meanwhile, I hear about people in other areas getting faster, more thorough treatment. It’s disheartening”.

She went on to say “The whole experience has left me feeling invisible, like my health doesn’t matter as much because of where I live and who I am. It’s not just unfair”.

The widening health divide could have serious implications on public health. Economically disadvantaged areas are seeing a rise in chronic illnesses, mental health issues and preventable diseases.

The Covid-19 pandemic increased the imbalance in healthcare. Lower-income communities were hit hardest by the pandemic, both in infection rates and death tolls, this was due to existing health conditions, and lack of access to healthcare.

Image Credit: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/

Vanessa Ronksley is a children’s nursing student at De Montfort University. In her experience as a student nurse, she said “there is a lack of information to families where English isn’t their first language, they receive a lack of information in terms of information about their child’s condition, when they’re deteriorating, what their diagnosis may be.” She went on to say there is a “lack of effort from healthcare professionals when compared to families of 1st language being English”.  

She believes “it’s something that requires immediate attention. I feel that some professionals speak down to others due to a lack of education of how to communicate to those of different backgrounds. At university we are taught a lot about how equality and fairness is essential to provide each patient and family with high quality care. So, it’s very important to address the issue and combat the lack of effort people in minority are given”.  

The health divide remains a pressing challenge that undermines the fundamental principle of equality in healthcare. Despite the ideals of universal access and equity, disparities in health outcomes persist, driven by socioeconomic factors and geographic location.