Health inequalities: key considerations for healthcare assistants

Good health and wellbeing are essential for a fulfilling life, yet significant health inequalities persist locally, nationally and globally. These inequalities result in unequal opportunities for individuals and communities to achieve and maintain good health, and are shaped by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. This article, the first in the series on health inequalities, explores health disparities in the UK and highlights practical ways that healthcare assistants can provide holistic and patient-centred care.