Get Rich or Die Young – we surely cannot leave it there

Watching the BBC’s Panorama programme today ‘Get Rich or Die Young’ I was not at all surprised by the description of adults staring at a premature death. I have witnessed for many years how poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health. I see it every day in the clients who use our services. Not only do they die younger but they experience long term ill health from a much younger age than their more well off neighbours.  To me, it is beyond doubt that poverty increases the chances of poor health and in turn, poor health traps communities into poverty.

Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health for Gateshead said in her annual report entitled ‘It Never Rains but it Pours’ that “Two babies, born on this day in Gateshead, could have as much as a 10 year difference in life expectancy due entirely to the circumstances into which they are born. If you look beyond Gateshead those same babies could have as much as a 15 year difference in life expectancy when compared to the most affluent area in Britain.” 

This is a damning indictment of our society. I didn’t need the BBC to tell me this because I see it every day, its right in front of us all. Do you see it?

In my experience many people choose not to see it.  To power through their lives in what could be described as a bubble, oblivious to poverty. At best they overlook the poor and disadvantaged and this is probably something we can fix – because if they did see it they probably wouldn’t like what they see. However at worst there are those in our society who – whether it be actively or passively -  partake in demonising those less fortunate than themselves. Labelling them as undeserving, lazy, chaotic or as benefit scroungers.

So I turn my attention to the former – those who, if they did see it, probably wouldn’t like what they see, and I pass on the following message in the hope that some of the heads might turn …

What does poverty have to do with the health of our nation?

The British Medical Association in its report entitled ‘Health at Any Costs’ states “A negative cycle can exist between poverty and health. Unemployment and poverty contribute to poor mental and physical health, which in turn makes it more difficult to find work. Many people living in poverty cannot afford the cost of their care, such as prescription charges, resulting in their conditions worsening over time. This negative cycle can transfer across generations, starting from pre-birth, with impact upon parenting, educational attainment, and employment.” 

Further, an inadequate income makes it more difficult for people to avoid stress and feel in control, to adopt and maintain health behaviours, to access social experiences and to feel supported by a financial safety net (check out this infographic for more on this).

Here’s the worrying bit for Gateshead …

·        22.2% of all Gateshead children live in poverty - two thirds of these children live in a working household.

·        There are 5,800 unemployed people living in Gateshead and 9,700 residents unable to work due to long-term sickness.

·        12.7% of all households in Gateshead are fuel poor and this figure rises to 32% for those over 65 years of age.

·        There was a 54% rise in number of Gateshead Foodbank food parcels given out in between 2015 and 2018 – 46% of all food parcels feed children

We all have a part to play in sorting this out. So what are we doing about it?

Our charity is doing a lot. We choose to do it. We’re an independent charity with a clear mission that no one should be without the free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. So we work hard every day to find a way to provide the advice people need for the problems they face. 4 out of 5 people we helped last year said our advice improved their life, including improving their health and finances. 

We’re also working to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. 2 in 5 people whose problems are not solved say it’s because of another organisation or system. Our advocacy work aims to remove these barriers by improving policy and practice.

Our impact includes a huge contribution to the local economy, but it is much wider than just money. 4 in 5 people say our advice changed their lives.  But it’s not enough for us, we think we can do more. We’re determined to make a difference, to ensure that babies born in Gateshead live a happy, full and long life and to ensure that people who live in Gateshead – and across the North East region - reach their full potential and live a long, happy and full life.

Watching the programme this evening I was struck by the words of a Headteacher who was determined not to accept the status quo either. She said " People's health should not be defined by their social class. That is a disgrace. It can change and it will change. All children have got just as much innate ability, potential and talent - if we don't recognise that we're losing this resource the country is losing so much potential. I don't believe for one second their life-path is fixed".

Well said, neither do I – at Citizens Advice Gateshead we know we’re doing our bit to drive the change. Please take a few moments to consider whether you’re doing yours …