If the government wants growth, it must start with Britain's health

This month’s budget takes place against a backdrop of a black hole in public finances, with the Treasury searching for growth in a difficult fiscal environment. But something risks being overlooked: a nation in poor health cannot grow its way to prosperity.

Across Britain, ill health is holding people and the economy back . Illness keeps people out of work, drives up NHS costs, and limits productivity. But much of this illness is preventable, and preventing ill health is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the economy. That starts with improving the conditions in which people live.

Those conditions are not experienced equally. Poverty and race remain two of the strongest predictors of ill health. People on lower incomes, as well as people from Black, Asian, and other raci