New research has discovered a significant correlation between population health and the deprivation levels of an area. Those residing in underprivileged areas are four times more probable to state they lack good health compared to individuals living in less disadvantaged communities. This study was administered by Pobal, a government-backed institution working towards fostering social integration and progress.
The recent study scrutinised the connection between health discrepancies and geographical adversity. Pobal juxtaposed data obtained from the 2022 Census with its HP Deprivation Index, unveiling a notable correlation between area plight and the reported rates of poor health and disability.
The disparity was more pronounced in areas with higher levels of deprivation, where inhabitants were 4.5 times more prone to record poor health compared to their affluent counterparts. Additionally, they were twice as susceptible to claim disability.
Remarkably, the incidence rate of disability (approximately 7%) among children in severely underprivileged areas was similar to that observed in the elderly population residing in prosperous areas near their retirement age.
Research and Policy Manager at Pobal, Alana Ryan, who also co-penned the report, affirmed the direct association between the level of an area’s deprivation and its inhabitants’ health. She quoted, around 5% of individuals in affluent areas expressed not possessing good health, a figure that soared to over 20% for those dwelling in highly or extremely underprivileged locations.
The link extended to disability rates, with nearly a third (30%) experiencing a condition or disability in underprivileged areas compared to a mere 14% in affluent locations.
The study also detected a minor elevation in the disability rate in disadvantaged urban communities compared to their rural counterparts. Ryan emphasised that even though rural locations exhibited slightly lower disability rates, the association between deprivation and disability lingered in both urban and rural settings.
Anna Shakespeare, CEO of Pobal, confirmed that almost 200,000 individuals inhabit areas of extreme deprivation. These areas are distinguished by significant unemployment, an abundance of low-skilled employment opportunities, low academic achievement, and a high proportion of single-parent families, she articulated. Shakespeare also highlighted that the research provides useful insights into the scale of the correlation between health, disability, and geographical deprivation. It assists in comprehending the methods of adapting and targeting policy interventions to back those marginalised groups, guaranteeing that their rights are acknowledged and maintained. Furthermore, Shakespeare asserted that the findings offer concrete proof for the improvement of health and social care services in deprived areas. Early intervention strategies and disability supports tailored to local requirements are a few such extensions.