Professor Marmot and his team at the Institute of Health Equity have been commissioned by cities and regions to bring their evidence-based approach to health equity into action at local level.
The work will focus on adopting the eight Marmot principles to:
- Give every child the best start in life
- Enable all children, young people, and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives
- Create fair employment and good work for all
- Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
- Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities
- Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention
- Tackle racism, discrimination, and their outcomes
- Pursue environmental sustainability and health equity together.
The move represents a campaign win for RCPCH, who have been calling on the Welsh Government to go further on reducing child health inequalities in the nation. The College hopes to see this achievement replicated across the rest of the UK.
RCPCH Officer for Wales, Dr Nick Wilkinson, said:
Data consistently shows that poverty and inequality impact a child’s whole life, we see this every day in our clinical interactions. It’s in the impact of poor-quality housing, limited access to nutritious food, low school attendance, rising mental health concerns and social isolation.
We’ve long called on the Welsh Government to act on this urgent matter and welcome the implementation of a nation-wide, evidence-based Marmot approach. To become the world's first Marmot nation is fantastic - and Wales is setting an example on the international stage.
Embracing Wales as a Marmot Nation allows us to have a new conversation about where to invest our efforts and resources for the benefit of all. More of the same will just not work. We must now put forward clear planning, supportive funds and measurable progress to ensure this is a success for the future of all our children.