Reducing the gap

doi:10.1136/bmj.b2928

Published 21 July 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2928
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b2928

Letters

Mind the gap

Reducing the gap

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Hawkes emphasises the widening in health inequalities with theincreasing inequality in absolute income.¹ People in the mostdeprived areas live in the poorest quality housing with poorinsulation. Thus heating the house, even inadequately, takesa disproportionate percentage of an already low income. Poorinsulation also leads to the development of mould, which affectshealth and family economics.

In Easthall, a part of Easterhouse, a very deprived area ofGlasgow, two blocks of flats (36 flats) were refurbished toa high standard, thanks to the determined efforts of residents.²Blood pressure fell from a mean of 142/85 mm Hg to 122/73 mmHg.² This fall is greater than that seen in studies showingthe beneficial effects of lowering blood pressure.³ ⁴ ⁵ In oneresident the incidence and severity of cardiac incidents felldramatically. The incidence of respiratory disease also fell,three people with severe asthma being able to stop all . . . [Full text of this article]