LGA responds to Health Foundation report on the impact of COVID-19

Responding to a report by the Health Foundation on its COVID-19 impact inquiry, which found that working age adults in the poorest areas are almost four times as likely to die from COVID-19, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:

“Coronavirus has starkly exposed and widened existing health inequalities and this report is another important reminder of the need to prioritise public health in our attempts to build back better from the pandemic.

“Councils can play a key role in reducing these inequalities by preventing poor health and improving people’s opportunities to live healthier lives, including greater access to employment opportunities, better housing and maintaining our parks and green spaces for use by everyone.

“Significant long-term investment in public health services, run and commissioned by councils, alongside other council services is vital to improve people’s health and wellbeing, while reducing future pressure on the NHS in our collective ambition to level up our communities.”