Commentary

Pearce, Jamie

doi:10.1068/a4663

Cited by 32 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The effects of austerity have not been distributed evenly, either spatially or socially (Bambra & Garthwaite, ). Across the United Kingdom the local authorities hardest hit by government spending cuts are those in the most socially disadvantaged areas (Pearce, ). An analysis of the spatial impact of the welfare cuts has identified that the most affected areas have included the older industrial areas of England, Scotland, and Wales, with the North East of England firmly falling within this category (Beatty & Fothergill, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Treading in sand”: A qualitative study of the impact of austerity on inequalities in mental health

2017

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Successive UK governments since 2010 have adopted policies of austerity characterized by public spending and social security cuts.There has been little qualitative research exploring the effects of these policies on inequalities in mental health. This article presents findings from a case study of Stockton-on-Tees, a local authority in the North East of England with exceptionally high spatial and socio-economic inequalities. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with people experiencing mental health problems in different areas of the local authority, alongside interviews with key stakeholders. The findings offer an insight into spatial inequalities in people's lives, and the impact of deprivation on mental health. They suggest that austerity measures are having a damaging impact on individuals and communities in the most deprived areas of this unequal place, whilst leaving those from less deprived areas relatively unscathed-with the exception of increased job insecurity. The cuts in social security are impacting on health through both material and psychosocial pathways including increased financial hardship and chronic stress. The intrusion of the state into people's everyday lives was such that the notion of the "home as an asylum" was broken, giving many no respite from the draining day-to-day experiences of poverty. The findings are discussed in relation to the continuing program of welfare changes and public spending cuts in the United Kingdom, including avenues for further research and key recommendations for policymakers. KEYWORDS health inequalities, neighborhood effects, social determinants of health, social policy

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Treading in sand”: A qualitative study of the impact of austerity on inequalities in mental health

2017

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“…Within the UK, some areas (such as the north-east of England and more deprived local authorities) have experienced greater public budget reductions and been more affected by changes to welfare benefits than others ( Beatty & Fothergill, 2016 ). This has disproportionately impacted on the availability of key services in these areas, widening social inequalities within them and spatial inequalities between them and other areas ( Pearce, 2013 , Bambra and Garthwaite, 2015 ). Health inequalities are intimately linked to social inequalities and so a widening of social inequality, as a result of austerity, may lead to a further exacerbation of social and spatial health inequalities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequalities in mental health and well-being in a time of austerity: Baseline findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study

Mattheys

Bambra

Warren

et al. 2016

SSM - Population Health

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Since 2010, the UK has pursued a policy of austerity characterised by public spending cuts and welfare changes. There has been speculation – but little actual research – about the effects of this policy on health inequalities. This paper reports on a case study of local health inequalities in the local authority of Stockton-on-Tees in the North East of England, an area characterised by high spatial and socio-economic inequalities. The paper presents baseline findings from a prospective cohort study of inequalities in mental health and mental wellbeing between the most and least deprived areas of Stockton-on-Tees. This is the first quantitative study to explore local mental health inequalities during the current period of austerity and the first UK study to empirically examine the relative contributions of material, psychosocial and behavioural determinants in explaining the gap. Using a stratified random sampling technique, the data was analysed using multi-level models that explore the gap in mental health and wellbeing between people from the most and least deprived areas of the local authority, and the relative contributions of material, psychosocial and behavioural factors to this gap. The main findings indicate that there is a significant gap in mental health between the two areas, and that material and psychosocial factors appear to underpin this gap. The findings are discussed in relation to the context of the continuing programme of welfare changes and public spending cuts in the UK.

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“…As a political response to the 2007-8 financial crisis, the 2010 Conservative-led coalition government pursued a policy of austerity, characterized by a drive to reduce public deficits via large-scale cuts to central and local government budgets, reduced funding for the health care system, and large reductions in welfare services and working-age social security benefits. These changes appear to be increasingly linked to rising geographical inequalities and health inequalities (Pearce, 2013). While the government boasted about record levels of employment, we have seen the quality of work and wage levels decline.…”

Section: Austerity Politics and Ageing In The Ukmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ageing and Health

Greer¹,

Lynch²,

Reeves³

et al. 2021

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Must ageing populations create conflict between generations and crisis for health systems? Our answer is no. The problem is not so much demographic change as the political and policy challenge of creating fair, sustainable and effective policies for people of all ages. This book, based on a large European Observatory study, uses new evidence to challenge some of the myths surrounding ageing and its effects on economies and health systems. Divisive and alarmist views of population ageing are often based on stereotypes and anecdotes unsupported by evidence. How we address ageing societies is a choice. Societies can choose policies that benefit people of all ages, promoting equity both within and between generations, and political coalitions can be built to support such policies. This title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

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Commentary

Cited by 32 publications

References 36 publications

“Treading in sand”: A qualitative study of the impact of austerity on inequalities in mental health

“Treading in sand”: A qualitative study of the impact of austerity on inequalities in mental health

Inequalities in mental health and well-being in a time of austerity: Baseline findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study

Ageing and Health

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