To ask the Minister of Health, in relation to the General Pharmaceutical Services for Northern Ireland Annual Statistics 2023/24, to detail the work that (i) is being done; and (ii) is planned to explore and address the link between ill health and deprivation levels.

The link between ill health and deprivation is well established and reducing health inequalities remains a significant challenge.

These inequalities arise primarily because of inequalities in the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Many of these are outside the control of the Department of Health. In fact research has shown that only 20% of health outcomes are driven by the clinical care we receive, with the rest related to the socio-economic and physical environment in which people live and a range of health and lifestyle behaviours.

Making Life Better (MLB) is the overarching strategic framework for public health through which the Executive committed to creating the conditions for individuals, families and communities to take greater control over their lives and be enabled and supported to lead healthy lives.

MLB is supported by a range of public health strategies which focus on specific issues, such as substance use, suicide prevention, tobacco use and obesity prevention. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has a central role in delivery of actions identified in these strategies and targets action in specific areas where health inequalities are most prominent in our society. MLB is further complemented by the Integrated Care System for NI (ICSNI) which adopts both a population health and outcomes-based approach.

Through MLB, and across a range of key issues, my Department and the PHA continue to collaborate across departments and agencies, local government, the community and voluntary sector, and with communities themselves to address the factors which impact on health and wellbeing locally and regionally.

You will be aware that health inequalities are one of my main priority areas as Health Minister and consideration is currently being given to a targeted, place-based approach to help address this issue.