Building health equity: the role of the property sector

Building health equity: the role of the property sector in improving health is a report produced by the Institute of Health Equity, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, supported by the Quality of Life Foundation and sponsored by Legal & General.

The United Kingdom is facing interconnected crises in both health and housing. Life expectancy is stalling, health inequalities are widening, and the NHS is under increasing strain.

Simultaneously, the housing crisis continues, with an insufficient supply of homes, particularly affordable and social housing, where they are needed most. The consequences of these crises are felt most acutely by already disadvantaged communities, deepening the social and economic inequalities that shape both health and housing outcomes.

The report underscores the critical relationship between the homes we live in, the communities we belong to, and our health outcomes. It highlights how housing and neighbourhoods impact health for better or worse and makes a compelling case for how the property sector can play a crucial role in improving health equity.

The Quality of Life Foundation conducted stakeholder engagement for this research, including a survey and interviews, and provided analysis to underpin the findings and recommendations.

The report outlines a clear, actionable agenda for investors, developers, and operators to enhance the positive health impacts of housing and places. It calls for the creation of homes and neighbourhoods that promote both physical and mental wellbeing, recognising that our environment plays a pivotal role in shaping our lives.

As the UK continues to confront these crises, Building health equity serves as an urgent call to action, urging all sectors to work together to build a healthier, more equitable future for all.