Unlike many other comparable countries, the United Kingdom’s economic activity and employment rates are yet to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Improvements in population health have stagnated in the UK – a trend that began before COVID-19 and accelerated during the pandemic, and poor health is undermining labour market outcomes and equity.

When it comes to health, the UK stands at a crossroads. In this report, the author sets out a framework to begin informing the policy response to improve population health, and limit harm caused by illness.