How living conditions affect our health
Our health is influenced by more than healthcare. Poverty and financial pressures can affect health and wellbeing and make it more difficult to afford the things we need to stay healthy.
This can include:
- having enough money for everyday needs
- access to affordable, healthy food
- living in a warm and suitable home
- access to employment, services and opportunities.
Poor health can also cause poverty. It is well established that the poorest people live the shortest lives with the worst health. The more one moves up the ladder, the longer one’s life and the better one’s health experience. Poverty is a relative and changing concept in many ways and is subject to fluctuations given macroeconomic conditions.
Supporting people and communities
The PHA works with statutory, community and voluntary sector partners to help address poverty and the wider factors that can contribute to poorer health.
This includes work around financial wellbeing, food poverty, fuel poverty and helping people access appropriate advice and support.