Acheson report on inequalities in health (26 November 1998)

Summary

The report of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health chaired by Sir Donald Acheson was published in 1998. The purpose of the inquiry was to inform the development of the government's public health strategy and to contribute to the forthcoming white paper, Our healthier nation. The report made a number of specific recommendations on a range of areas relating to health, environmental and social factors including:

• introducing health impact assessments for all policies that were likely to have a direct or indirect impact on health and health inequalities.
• appointing directors of public health in every health authority.
• placing a partnership duty on the NHS executive and regional government to ensure local partnerships between health and local government.