In recent years, we’ve seen growing recognition of health inequalities in the UK amongst politicians and society. The nature of these disparities – interpersonal, institutional, systemic – was laid bare during the pandemic, with people of colour disproportionately affected. In the healthcare workforce alone, 85% of the doctors who died from COVID-19 were from ethnic minority backgrounds.

With almost the entire country shut in their homes watching the news and reading the headlines as the tragic number of deaths continued to rise, ignoring racial inequalities in healthcare was no longer an option for policy makers. But acknowledgement alone is not enough bring about meaningful change.

The creation of the NHS Race and Health Observatory in 2021 was a welcome step in recognising and addressing these issues, yet systemic change remains frustratingly slow, with shocking statistics – such as data showing that black women are now four times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than their white counterparts – continuing to show the extent of inequality.

The impact of intersecting social determinants on people’s health is steadily earning its place in mainstream political discourse, as seen in Labour’s decision to make creating a preventative health system one of its key pillars for fixing the NHS.

Yet, as culture wars rage on in the media, misinformation spreads, and identity politics becomes one of the most debated political topics of the modern age, there is a real risk that racial health inequalities could become deprioritised.

The recent announcement to scrap NHS England only adds to the uncertainty, with structural reorganisation, alongside the ongoing financial and capacity issues facing the system, likely to take up political and institutional bandwidth for the foreseeable future.

So, in this environment, how can we ensure that racial health disparities remain high on the agenda? And what role can those of us in the communications, PR, and public affairs sector play in making this happen?

Shaping the narrative and holding institutions to account

At an event I recently attended at UCL, the NHS Race and Health Observatory’s Chief Executive, Professor Habib Naqvi MBE, described the organisation’s role as “holding a mirror up to the NHS” – reflecting the system’s failings in order to encourage real change.

But reflection itself might not be enough, nor can one organisation be expected to challenge this issue alone. The media, campaigners, and policymakers must actively call for change to ensure that racial health inequalities are not simply used for political point-scoring but tackled in a real and practical sense. This is where effective PR and media engagement are vital in shaping the narrative, keeping the issue in the headlines, and ensuring that public discourse translates into meaningful policy action.

Combating misinformation and cultural backlash

We are living in an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, and health disparities can become politicised rather than addressed. The riots we witnessed last summer were a harrowing reminder of how far racial inequalities and discrimination extends in our society. If we fail to address disparities in health and social care, we risk deepening the very divisions that sparked that unrest.

Communications professionals can work to counter misleading narratives and ensure that accurate, evidence-based information reaches the public. This means amplifying voices with lived experiences, engaging with digital platforms effectively and strategically, and providing clear, accessible messaging that cuts through the noise.

Driving policy change through public affairs

Effective public affairs work isn’t just about influencing decision-makers – it’s about creating momentum that triggers political action. Public affairs and advocacy must work in collaboration with PR and media efforts to ensure that addressing racial health disparities remains a legislative priority. This requires collaboration across patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to build a compelling case for change. Campaigns that combine compelling statistics and political focus with human stories can shift the dial, ensuring that racial health disparities remain part of the conversation.

 The conditions for a truly equal healthcare system may not yet exist – but they can be created. Systemic change requires political will, institutional commitment, and sustained public and media pressure. Strategic storytelling, media advocacy, and public affairs can all play a role in ensuring that racial inequalities in healthcare remain on the agenda and, ultimately, are dismantled for the better.