Socioeconomic disadvantage and self-reported health

Good health underpins our ability to work and lead fulfilling lives. Yet the UK faces a growing working-age health challenge and widening health inequalities.

This analysis from the Health Foundation, underpinned by modelling from the Office for National Statistics, is the largest study of its kind to show the links between self-reported health and socioeconomic deprivation over time (between 2011 and 2021).

Their analysis shows the main socioeconomic factors linked to people no longer reporting good health are unemployment, being economically inactive and living in the private or social-rented sector. These factors are also associated with reduced likelihood of returning to good health.