North-South divide for older people ‘reversible’ – report – BBC

Report on Ageing Inequality in Northern England and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent study titled Ageing in the North, conducted by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), highlights significant disparities affecting older populations in Northern England. The report reveals that older adults in this region are more likely to experience poverty, poor health, physical inactivity, loneliness, and inadequate housing compared to their counterparts in Southern England. This report emphasizes the urgent need to address these inequalities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Findings

1. Economic Inactivity and Impact on GDP
   • Over 900,000 economically inactive individuals aged 50-64 reside in the North.
   • This inactivity potentially reduces the UK’s GDP by £10.9 billion annually.
2. Health and Employment Disparities
   • People in the South are more likely to retire voluntarily, whereas those in the North often leave the workforce due to poor health.
   • The rate of poverty among those over 65 in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber increased by 10% between 2012 and 2022.
   • Northern adults over 65 are 27% more likely to face food insecurity than those in the South.
3. Housing and Social Care Challenges
   • Approximately 1.47 million homes in the North are classified as “non-decent,” with over one-third housing residents aged 60 and above.
   • The North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber have the highest proportions of people aged 65+ living in care homes.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The findings of the Ageing in the North report relate directly to several SDGs, including:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Addressing the rising poverty rates among older adults in Northern England.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Tackling health disparities and promoting healthy ageing.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Closing the gap between Northern and Southern England in terms of economic, social, and health outcomes.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Improving housing quality and creating age-friendly living environments.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Encouraging workforce participation and addressing economic inactivity among older adults.

Recommendations

The NHSA report, co-authored by experts from the University of Sheffield, Durham University, Lancaster University, The University of Manchester, Newcastle University, and Health Equity North, proposes the following measures to reverse ageing inequalities:

• Implement a cross-government strategy to prevent unequal ageing by integrating policies on education, housing, employment, and health.
• Enhance collaboration among local governments, combined authorities, housing developers, and the National Health Service (NHS) to create cohesive support systems.
• Develop a national housing strategy focused on older people, promoting the construction of age-friendly and accessible homes.

Expert Commentary

Professor Alan Walker from the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Lifespan Institute emphasized the reversibility of the North-South divide, stating that decisive policy action can improve the quality of life for older people in the North. He highlighted the need for policymakers to prioritize tackling the root causes of unequal ageing.

Shipley MP Anna Dixon, who authored the report’s foreword, remarked, “Where you live shouldn’t affect your experience of ageing,” underscoring the importance of equitable ageing experiences across England.

Conclusion

The Ageing in the North report presents a compelling case for urgent policy interventions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals to address regional inequalities affecting older adults. By adopting a holistic and collaborative approach, the government and stakeholders can work towards ensuring healthy, dignified, and equitable ageing for all citizens, thereby contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

References

• Ageing in the North Report (NHSA)

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights rising poverty rates among older adults in the North of England, particularly a 10% increase in poverty among over 65s in certain regions.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Issues of poor health, physical inactivity, and social isolation among older people in the North are discussed.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article focuses on the North-South divide in England, emphasizing inequalities in income, health, housing, and social care.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The need for age-friendly, accessible housing and better living conditions for older adults is raised.
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Economic inactivity among 50-64 year olds in the North and its impact on GDP is mentioned.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces.
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Poverty Rate Among Older Adults – The article mentions a 10% rise in poverty among over 65s in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, which can be measured by the proportion of older adults living below the poverty line.
2. Economic Inactivity Rate – The number of economically inactive people aged 50-64 in the North (more than 900,000) and its impact on GDP (£10.9bn reduction) serve as indicators of economic participation.
3. Health Status – Rates of poor health causing people to leave the job market, physical inactivity, and social isolation among older adults are implied health indicators.
4. Food Insecurity – The article states northern adults over 65 are 27% more likely to experience food insecurity, an indicator of well-being and poverty.
5. Housing Quality – The number of “non-decent” homes (1.47 million) and the proportion of older residents living in poor housing conditions are housing quality indicators.
6. Care Home Residency – The proportion of people aged 65 and over living in care homes in northern regions is an indicator of social care needs.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com