Health inequalities are driven by a combination of behavioural risks, mental ill‑health, socio‑economic disadvantage, adverse experiences and environmental factors across the life course. Many adult health risks originate in childhood, including smoking, poor mental health and obesity. Preventing ill‑health requires sustained, joined‑up action across the system encompassing all of the elements of the conditions of living, e.g. education, housing, employment and access to health services, with a strong focus on early intervention for children and families most at risk.
This page aims to provide examples of risk factors affecting the population.
What influences healthy outcomes for our population? The conditions of living model, shown below, maps the relationship between the individual, their environment and health; demonstrating that health and wellbeing is influenced much more than access to health and wellbeing services. Individuals are placed at the centre and surrounding them are the various layers of influences.
Defining deprivation The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2025) have a specific definition of deprivation and are keen to differentiate it from the word ‘poverty’. The definition is provided below. “Though ‘poverty’ and ‘deprivation’ have often been used interchangeably, many have argued that a clear distinction should be made between them.
Smoking and vaping are harmful to children and young people because exposure to nicotine and tobacco‑related toxins during key stages of development increases the risk of addiction, impaired brain and lung development, respiratory illness and poorer mental health, with many lifelong smokers having started before the age of 18.