People in the most deprived areas of England are almost twice as likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of infectious diseases than their least deprived counterparts, according to a major study.
The report, by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), analysed NHS and government data to look at the state of health inequalities in England due to infectious diseases and environmental health hazards.
The analysis found a stark regional divide across England: those living in the north-west of the country were 30% more likely to be admitted to hospital for an infectious disease, with 3,600 admissions for every 100,000 people between September 2023 and August 2024, compared with the average for England, which stood at 2,800 for every 100,000.
The study found that inequality was highest in the case of respiratory infections, with an estimated additional 260,000 admissions due to inequalities associated with deprivation. People living in the 20% most deprived areas of England were twice as likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory diseases, seven times as likely for tuberculosis and six times for measles, than their counterparts from the least deprived areas.
The analysis also revealed stark ethnic inequalities. Although admission rates were low overall for tuberculosis, emergency hospital admissions for the disease were 15 times higher for people from a black African background compared with those categorised as white British.
It was also estimated that these inequalities in emergency admissions for infectious diseases cost the NHS in England between £970m and £1.5bn in 2022-23.
Prof David Taylor-Robinson, an academic co-director at Health Equity North and professor of public health and policy at the University of Liverpool, said: “This report echoes past research showing that deprived communities, typically in the North of England, bear the brunt of health inequalities.
“It is particularly troubling to see the high number of hospital admissions due to infectious diseases, especially as some of these are preventable diseases.”
He added: “Our previous analysis has shown that childhood vaccine uptake in England has plummeted among the most disadvantaged families. This is against a backdrop of cuts to local government, pressures on the NHS, and the growing number of children living in poverty.
“Protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases should be a public health priority, otherwise we will see more hospitalisations and deaths from these entirely preventable diseases.”
Dr Leonora Weil, the interim deputy director for health equity and inclusion at UKHSA, said the report revealed some “stark” facts on the state of inequalities in health security faced by some people, “in particular those living in the most deprived communities and certain areas of the country, some ethnic groups, as well as excluded groups such as those experiencing homelessness.
“These health-protection inequalities – where there are poorer health outcomes based on where you live, your socioeconomic status or ethnicity – are avoidable, pervasive and preventable. That is why it is so important to shine a light on these findings to increase action to support communities to live longer and in better health.”
She added: “This report is just the start. We need to build on these insights, as only through persistent and dedicated effort across all health organisations will we make a real difference to helping all people live longer and in better health.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This shocking report shows the appalling healthcare inequalities this government inherited.
“Our Plan for Change is reforming the NHS to get it back on its feet so it is there for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live. We have hit the ground running, delivering an extra 3 million appointments since July to cut waiting lists.
