We must tackle social inequality - it's an issue of life or death - the YEP says

More than one quarter of this city’s population are currently living in areas considered the most deprived in the country.
But the issue has been further intensified by the far-reaching impact of coronavirus. Picture: ShutterstockBut the issue has been further intensified by the far-reaching impact of coronavirus. Picture: Shutterstock
But the issue has been further intensified by the far-reaching impact of coronavirus. Picture: Shutterstock

It’s a stark figure that has been on the rise.

Those people are likely to die up to 11.5 years earlier than residents living in the least deprived areas of the city – and also experience a much poorer quality of life.

This newspaper has long campaigned to close the gap in social inequality in one of the fastest growing cities in the UK outside of London.

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But the issue has been further intensified by the far-reaching impact of coronavirus.

There are fears that the pandemic has not only widened some existing inequalities in Leeds, but opened up new divides.

And that is why we today welcome a new groundbreaking action plan by NHS chiefs that aims to tackle the growing gulf in health issues across the city.

We can’t bury our heads in the sand any longer – we need to get a grip of this issue.

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We can’t leave anybody behind. It’s now a matter of life or death.

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