Publication type
Report
Author
Editors
Publication date
September 2, 2024
Summary:
Women in the North of England live shorter lives, work more hours for less pay, are more likely to be an unpaid carer, and more likely to live in poverty than women in other regions of England, according to new research published today.
The damning research – published by Health Equity North – has laid bare the unequal challenges faced by women living in the North of England.
It exposes the growing regional inequalities over the last decade and the impact this has on women’s quality of life, health, work, their families and communities.
‘Woman of the North: Inequality, health and work’ finds that women living in the North have lower healthy life expectancy, fewer qualifications, worse mental health, and are more likely to suffer domestic violence or to end up in the criminal justice system than their counterparts in the rest of England. In addition, infant mortality is higher and abortions are more common.
The economic cost of these inequalities is also explored in the report which estimates women in the North lose out on a staggering £132m every week, compared to what they would get paid if wages were the same as women in the rest of the country.
Women in the North also contribute £10bn of unpaid care to the UK economy each year.
The report, which has been backed by the North’s two female Mayors Tracy Brabin and Kim McGuinness, puts into sharp focus the devastating effects that austerity, the cost-of-living crisis, economic uncertainty, the pandemic and unequal funding formulas have had on women in northern regions.
A team of more than 70 academic, health, social care and policy professionals from across the North contributed to the report to explore some of the social determinants of health for women, and how they play out in the overall health of women in the region.
The extensive research covers employment and education, Universal Credit, poverty, caring, health and life expectancy, pregnancy and reproductive health, sexual health, mental health, domestic violence, criminal justice involvement, stigma, and marginalised women.
The report recommends a wide range of evidence-informed policy solutions for central government, regional government and the health service which, if implemented, could improve the current situation for women’s health.
Subjects
Link
#578364