How can government level up the UK's health?

Institute for Government

As the economy recovers from the pandemic, the government wants to ‘build back better’ and ‘level up’. Improving public health could play an important role in achieving these objectives. We are a less healthy nation than many of our European neighbours, and there are huge differences in health between more and less prosperous parts of the UK. This affects quality of life as well as how productively people can work. How can public health policy form a part of the levelling up agenda? What is the appropriate role for government and businesses in promoting good public health? What interventions would make a difference and what incentives would help people to get healthier? To discuss these questions and more, we were delighted to bring together an expert panel featuring: Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity and Past President of the World Medical Association Nigel Wilson, Group Chief Executive at Legal & General Tina Woods, Founder and CEO of Collider Health and CEO and co-founder of Longevity International The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government.