Inequities are killing people on a “grand scale” reports WHO Commission

Posted: Wednesday 5 November 08, 11.35am GMT

The report behind this statement was the focus of a Global Partner Network’s meeting on 22nd September 2008. Partners were invited to respond to the World Health Organisation's Commission on Social Determinants of Health, whose final report was published in August. A total of 19 partners attended, from countries as diverse as Estonia, Ecuador, China, Hong Kong, Poland, Portugal and Vietnam and provided substantial, positive feedback on the holistic approach taken by the Commission to tackle the causes of health inequalities and the potential role of business in tackling these inequalities.

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Insight into the report

Presentations were given by Dr Fiona Adshead, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, who played a pivotal role in the report’s formation, Dr Ruth Bell, Senior Research Fellow at the Commission Secretariat at UCL, and Malcolm Lane, Director of Corporate Affairs at Tata Consultancy Services gave the corporate view. This wide variety of perspectives provided the partners with insight into the key issues covered by the report as well a practical business example.

Partner feedback

Before the meeting, partners were asked to identify three priority issues from the wide range of topics covered in the Commission’s report for the meeting to focus on. These were: ‘Fair employment and decent work’; ‘Living conditions and environment’; and ‘Market Responsibility’. Throughout the lively debates on each, several themes emerged, including the quandary between voluntary and regulatory approaches to CSR and methods of tackling health inequalities. It was agreed that “the rules are not enough” to close the health gaps which exist globally. Many of the partners advised that although laws had been passed in their respective countries, they were not always implemented or enforced due to both politics and cost.

Partners agreed that involving business in tackling inequalities was critical and examples were given of how business is already addressing inequalities, for example, supporting housing for low-income families and working in partnership with governments on improving public health and education. Partners agreed that the holistic approach taken by the WHO Commission recognising the social and economic causes of health inequalities may encourage more strategic and less philanthropic approaches from business to CSR.

Many partners noted a growing awareness of CSR issues amongst workers in their countries, with employees choosing to work for firms that offer work/life balance and social benefits. Global migration was also reported to be affecting businesses, in particular the difficulties in recognising overseas qualifications and filling positions requiring specialised skills. These issues highlight the importance of business through strategies which include positive community engagement and investment.

Next steps

In conclusion, the event was hugely successful in introducing the Commission’s broad agenda to a global audience of CSR professionals. It signified the first step in Business in the Community’s three-year work programme with the United Kingdom’s Department of Health – engaging business to act on the report’s recommendations. Next steps include Business in the Community’s business consultations in the United Kingdom which will be taking place shortly, and the Department of Health’s international conference in November, at which several business leaders will show their support of tackling global health inequalities.