Health equality radio

The World Health Organization (2018) defines health inequality as the ‘systematic differences in the health status of different population groups. These inequities have significant social and economic costs both to individuals and societies’. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (2024) further expands on the definition and states that ‘health inequalities are differences in health across the population, and between different groups in society, that are systematic, unfair and avoidable. They are caused by the conditions in which we are born, live, work and grow. These conditions influence how we think, feel and act and can affect both our physical and mental health and wellbeing’. Midwifery, at the intersection of women's health and childbearing, provides a powerful lens from which to consider these issues, both in relation to the health and care of women and in the profession of midwifery itself.

On 11 September 2024, the Science Museum in South Kensington, London held a ‘Late’ event entitled, ‘Journey of Life’. Late events are special evening events open to the public that aim to showcase sciences differently and invite a wider adult public to engage with the museum in a fun, social and creative format. The theme of the event was related to global health inequalities, which provided the opportunity to explore issues and provoke public dialogue. The event was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and brought together global health researchers and community members to showcase and inspire conversations with the wider public around equity in health. Participating organisations at the event included clinicians, researchers and scientists with involvement/projects in global health, including non-governmental organisations and research teams from local universities with global health departments, including King's College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London, in addition to non-governmental organisations/charities dedicated to improvements in global health.