Health inequalities: risk factors

Health inequalities remain a major challenge within the UK, shaping patterns of disease incidence, access to care and health outcomes across populations. Healthcare assistants deliver direct, person-centred care, frequently working with individuals and groups disproportionately affected by social disadvantage. This article explores the key risk factors underpinning health inequalities and considers how these overlap to compound disadvantage. The author discusses how healthcare assistants can play a meaningful role in mitigating the impact of health inequalities and supporting more equitable health outcomes across the populations they serve.