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  Global Health Inequalities Programme:

  Avoidable health inequalities arise because of the circumstances in which people grow, live, work, and age, and the systems put in place to deal with illness. The conditions in which people live and die are, in turn, shaped by political, social, and economic forces.

  Quote from, ‘Closing the Gap in a Generation’, a report by the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health.

  The Commission calls on the World Health Organisation (WHO) and all governments to lead global action on the social, political and economic causes of health inequalities with the aim of achieving health equity in a generation. The report also raises implications and opportunities for business.

  The UK is one of the Commission’s country partners, along with countries including Brazil, Kenya and Sweden. Business in the Community has been asked by the UK Department of Health to work alongside it and other partner organisations to raise awareness of the social and economic causes of health inequalities. Business in the Community’s specific role is to encourage the private sector to take more positive action and provide them with opportunities for engagement to tackle health inequalities.

  Please visit the Business in the Community programme page to learn more.

  Please visit the Equity Channel for information on other partner organisations working on this agenda.

  Current activity

  Business in the Community is currently engaging business in an independent Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England which is to be completed by the end of 2009. Companies including EDF Energy, Royal Mail, Unilever and Starbucks have contributed to the consultation, which will influence government policy. Read more here.

  Opportunities for CSR360 Global Partner Network organisations to get involved in this agenda internationally will develop throughout 2009-2010. To register your interest please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (+44 20 7566 6637) at Business in the Community.

  Business in the Community has just published a Briefing Note on the role of business and the health inequality agenda: Health inequalities and responsible business practice. They have decided to focus on addressing issues surrounding vulnerable customers, the social impact of capital investment, and the employability of disadvantaged groups.

  Activity in 2008

  Launch event: Business in the Community hosted an event in London in September 2008 to launch the Commission’s report ‘Closing the gap in a generation’. It attracted partners from 19 countries across the world and provided substantial, positive feedback on the holistic approach taken by the Commission to tackling global health inequalities. Read more here.

  Magazine (Issue 2): CSR360’s magazine featured ‘Global Health and the role of Business’ and included an interview with Dr Fiona Adshead who played a pivotal role in the report’s formation. Dr Adshead was Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health in the UK and is now Director of Chronic and Health Promotion at WHO. Read more here.

  Launch conference: The UK’s Department of Health hosted an International Conference in London in November 2008 which launched the report to a global audience. Speakers included the Prime Minister of the UK, Secretary of State for Health for England, the Chair of the Commission, and Business in the Community’s Chief Executive.

  Business in the Community invited a select group of business leaders to the conference, which included Microsoft, Danone, The Co-operative Group, Tata Consultancy Services and Pfizer.

  Further information

  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), National Manager, Social Regeneration, Business in the Community (+44 20 7566 8654)
  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Research and Development Coordinator, Business in the Community (+44 20 7566 6637)