Figures released to mark the first anniversary of Sir Michael Marmot’s review into health inequalities revealed stark differences across the country. In some authorities, including the London boroughs of Haringey, Brent and Newham, just 40 per cent of five-year-olds were deemed to have good levels of development, in others such as Solihull and Richmond upon Thames the figure was closer to 70 per cent.
The report is now calling for there to be targeted action to reduce health inequalities before birth.
Commenting on the latest publication, Marmot said: "Health inequalities are a tragic waste of life and health, and cost this country tens of billions of pounds every year in lost productivity, welfare payments and costs to the NHS from ill health. The evidence is very clear: investing in pre-school years pays most dividends.
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