NI health inequalities revealed in new report

The Health Minister has said that the 2025 Health Inequalities Annual Report should be a “challenge to us all to make life better” for everyone in Northern Ireland.

The report, published this morning, provides the latest details of persistent disparities between the most and least deprived areas in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Tackling health inequalities remains a main focus for me as Health Minister, and I am determined more than ever to make a difference. Where someone is born, grows up, lives and works should not determine their health outcomes - yet we know that in our most disadvantaged communities, people are more likely to experience poorer health, shorter life expectancy, and greater barriers to accessing care.

“Health inequalities mirror and stem from the wider inequalities that exist in society, and is a key issue across all of Government. The 2025 report should be a challenge to us all, to work together and make life better for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“I have visited a number of grassroots projects, which make a real difference in the areas which suffer most from these inequalities in Northern Ireland. Programmes  such as my ‘Live Better’ approach reflect my focus to bring services as close as possible to people’s front doors, as set out in my reset plan, which puts a focus on a neighbourhood model of care.”

The Live Better approach, launched under Minister Nesbitt’s leadership, is one example of the Department of Health’s commitment to providing targeted, place-based solutions that bring health support directly to those who need it most. The programme was tested in Belfast (Court DEA) and Derry/Londonderry (Moor DEA) and is currently being evaluated.

NISRA also published a report on suicide today, ‘Profiling Suicide in Northern Ireland’, which further highlights that suicide disproportionately affects those in deprived areas.

The Health Minister continued: “On this, World Suicide Prevention Day, I believe every suicide is preventable, right up to the point of completion. Suicide remains a major public health challenge in Northern Ireland, with profound and lasting impacts on individuals, families and communities. Each of us must take every step possible to ensure anyone experiencing a crisis can access the urgent support they require.”

The Department published its Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation in July, which aims to prevent suicide and reduce self-harm.