Let’s work together to make life better for everyone: Nesbitt

The Health Minister has said that the 2025 Health Inequalities Annual Report should be a “challenge to us all to make life better” for everyone in Northern Ireland.

The report, published this morning, provides the latest details of persistent disparities between the most and least deprived areas in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Tackling health inequalities remains a main focus for me as Health Minister, and I am determined more than ever to make a difference. Where someone is born, grows up, lives and works should not determine their health outcomes - yet we know that in our most disadvantaged communities, people are more likely to experience poorer health, shorter life expectancy, and greater barriers to accessing care.

“Health inequalities mirror and stem from the wider inequalities that exist in society, and is a key issue across all of Government. The 2025 report should be a challenge to us all, to work together and make life better for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“I have visited a number of grassroots projects, which make a real difference in the areas which suffer most from these inequalities in Northern Ireland. Programmes  such as my ‘Live Better' approach reflect my focus to bring services as close as possible to people's front doors, as set out in my reset plan, which puts a focus on a neighbourhood model of care.”

The Live Better approach, launched under Minister Nesbitt's leadership, is one example of the Department of Health's commitment to providing targeted, place-based solutions that bring health support directly to those who need it most. The programme was tested in Belfast (Court DEA) and Derry/Londonderry (Moor DEA) and is currently being evaluated.

NISRA also published a report on suicide today, ‘Profiling Suicide in Northern Ireland', which further highlights that suicide disproportionately affects those in deprived areas.

The Health Minister continued: “On this, World Suicide Prevention Day, I believe every suicide is preventable, right up to the point of completion. Suicide remains a major public health challenge in Northern Ireland, with profound and lasting impacts on individuals, families and communities. Each of us must take every step possible to ensure anyone experiencing a crisis can access the urgent support they require.”

The Department published its Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation in July, which aims to prevent suicide and reduce self-harm.

Notes to editors:

1. The 2025 Health Inequalities Annual Report can be viewed here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-inequalities-annual-report-2025
2. Regional findings in the 2025 Health Inequalities Annual Report focus on differences between the 20% most deprived and 20% least deprived areas of Northern Ireland. They include:
   In 2017-19, males in the most deprived areas live on average 7.3 fewer years than males in the least deprived areas. The gap for females was 5.2 years. Following a downward trend in male and female life expectancies between 2017-19  and 2020- 22, estimates have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.In 2021-23, the suicide mortality rate in the most deprived areas was almost three times the rate in the least deprived areas.
   Large inequality gaps continue to exist for mental health indicators. Prescription rates for mood and anxiety disorders increased regionally, with the most deprived areas two-thirds higher than in the least deprived areas between 2019 and 2023.
   The deprivation gap for drug related deaths is the largest inequality gap, with mortality in the most deprived areas almost six times that of the least deprived.
   In 2023/24 the percentage of year 8 pupils in the most deprived areas affected by obesity was more than double that in the least deprived areas.
   The rate of smoking in pregnancy in the most deprived areas was over six times the rate in the least deprived areas in 2023, representing a widening of the inequality gap. Some improvements were seen in rates of smoking in pregnancy, and the under-20 teenage birth rate.
   People in the most deprived communities continue to die younger than those in the least deprived areas. Whilst deaths from treatable conditions improved everywhere, preventable deaths got worse. Respiratory deaths under age 75 are nearly three and a half times higher in the areas of high deprivation, compared to lowest deprivation.
3. The Profiling Suicide in Northern Ireland' can be viewed here: https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/vitalStatistics/policy-brief1-sept25-suicide-drugs-alcohol.html
4. The key findings in ‘Profiling Suicide in Northern Ireland' show that:
   Suicides disproportionately affect males aged 16-44 years and residents of urban and deprived areas.
   Poor mental health was associated with higher mortality risk for both sexes
   Indicators of social isolation were associated with greater mortality risk: living alone for both sexes and for males being a child in a lone parent household.
   Unemployment was associated with increased risk for both sexes. Males with no qualifications or having intermediate level qualifications as the highest level of educational attainment were associated with increased risk. For females, economic inactivity and urban residence were associated with greater risk.
5. More information on looking after mental health and the support which is available across Northern Ireland can be found at www.mindingyourhead.info(external link opens in a new window / tab).
6. If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info(external link opens in a new window / tab).