The report, Building Fairer Towns, Cities, and Regions: Insights from Marmot Places, was launched by the LGA at an event in London on 5 February.

Councils across the country have begun tackling health inequalities through the Marmot approach which seeks to address the social determinants of health such as housing, employment and education. Over 50 local areas across England, Wales and Scotland are designated as Marmot Places.

The report says that the scale of the challenge requires a national effort, however.

Figures from the King's Fund show healthy life expectancy in the North East is almost seven years shorter for males and six years shorter for females compared with the South East. People living in northern regions also spend higher proportions of their shorter lives in poor health. 

A study published by the Health Foundation predicts people in the 10% most deprived areas are expected to be diagnosed with major illness a decade earlier than people in the 10% least deprived areas.

Furthermore, a report by the UCL Institute of Health Equity has warned widening inequalities are associated with an average reduction in local authority spending power of 34%.

Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the LGA, said: ‘The Marmot Places report is a powerful reminder of what local government and its partners can achieve when they commit to tackling health inequalities. Across the country, councils are working tirelessly to incorporate fairness into housing, employment, and public health initiatives, often in the face of significant challenges.

‘But local action alone cannot close the widening health inequality gap. We urgently need a national health inequalities strategy that builds on the excellent progress councils have made. With national and local leadership working together, we can create a society where everyone, regardless of their background or postcode, has the opportunity to thrive.'