Investment in prevention 'crucial' during recession

The government commissioned report, Fair Society, Healthy Lives, follows an in-dependent review of health inequalities in England led by Sir Michael Marmot, which began in November 2008.

Inaction cannot be afforded; the economic and importantly human costs are simply too high

It sets out recommendations in six key areas for reducing health inequalities in England, which cost the NHS more than £5.5bn per year.

The review predicts that the cost of treating obesity related conditions alone will rise from £2bn per year to nearly £5bn per year by 2025, and says NHS spending on such areas must rise from its present 4 per cent.

But the highest priority, the review says, is to “rebalance” public spending towards the “early years” by giving children the best start in life through providing more parenting support programmes, a well trained workforce and high quality care.

It also recommends more efforts to boost educational attainment and employment among those from poorer backgrounds, as these bring physical and mental health benefits with them.

Additionally it calls for a “minimum income for healthy living” to be calculated - noting that having insufficient money to lead a healthy lifestyle is a major driver of inequality - and says that many green policies, such as encouraging cycling, would also help health.

Sir Michael said: “There will be those who say our recommendations cannot be afforded, particularly in the current economic climate.

“We say that it is inaction that cannot be afforded; the economic and importantly human costs are simply too high.”

Royal College of Physicians president Ian Gilmore said it was crucial that investment in public health continued during the recession.