Economic Justice
Our economic system is making people sick. Gross inequality leads to unequal health outcomes. But this is not inevitable: we have the power to change the system.
Today in the UK, one of the richest countries in the world, millions struggle to survive with insecure jobs and precarious housing. Social welfare measures have been systematically torn apart.
We know that these economic inequalities drive health inequalities. Health workers witness the toll that poverty and economic insecurity has on patients every day. And we know that people living in the poorest areas are dying years earlier than those in wealthier areas.
This health injustice will persist as long as there is no economic justice.
Join us!
As an essential part of our mission to win economic transformation, we stand with and actively support those communities fighting for economic justice who are deeply affected by forms of structural oppression which drive inequality.
Everyone who works in health is welcome to join, whether you are a nurse, a porter or a public health researcher! Sign up using the form below to hear about how to get involved. If you have any questions about getting involved, please email [email protected]!
To get involved, sign up for updates below or get in touch!
Events coming up
Latest news
-
Organising and local campaigns: how much is too much?
-
WATCH: ‘Mould is Political’
-
The 2024 Holdstock-Piachaud Student Essay Prize
-
Cost of inequality crisis: Statement on the so-called ‘cost of living crisis’
-
Freedom day: Unequal freedoms = health injustice
-
The unprotected many and the protected few: Working towards a health justice approach to future pandemic preparedness.
Housing and health campaigns
Harrow, London
In Northwest London, our group organiser and members are now working with Harrow residents, in partnership with Harrow Law Centre, to support those residents experiencing health conditions as a result of poor and insecure housing. The objective is to start identifying buildings with tenants experiencing health issues as a result of the poor conditions of their homes, gather health data, support tenants organise around these issues, then use this case studies to call for systemic interventions that address the structural causes of the housing crisis through advocacy and campaigning work.
Homes for Us Coalition
The New Economics Foundation, along with a coalition of housing organisations have launched Homes for Us, a 5-year programme to reimagine, revitalise and rebuild social housing in the UK. “Homes For Us” will organise and train local groups to win change at a national level. Medact Economic Justice & Health group members are helping ensure that public health is central to this work.
Resources
-
A People’s Economy: economic justice & health booklets
-
Health Versus Wealth? UK economic policy and public health during COVID-19
Medact Economic Justice Media
- Housing insecurity and displacement: A call for psychological support to empower the community of Druids Heath, Emma Bridger and Jordi Lopez-Botey, 25/1/23
- How the Government Is Abandoning Children – Again, Amaran Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy, The Tribune, 24/8/21
- The UK’s covid-19 response underscores the danger of a “health versus wealth” approach, Monica Sharman, Hannah Talwar & Amaran Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy, BMJ Opinion, 4/3/21
Get in touch!
Contact Medact’s Campaign Lead for Economic Justice & Health Jordi López at [email protected].