Roots of recovery: Occupational therapy at the heart of health equity
Conclusion
History seems to demonstrate that times of national crisis can lead to developments and system changes for the better for people, societies and countries. When ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’, crises can be a force for co-operation, creative thinking and positive change, with increased resilience and preparedness should a similar event happen again.100
Health inequalities are unfair and unjust, particularly when poor health itself is the result of factors that can be changed, such as access to education, work or suitable housing. Interventions to reduce health inequalities are cost effective, not just in reducing longer term health or social care costs, but also in reducing the social and community costs, such as harmful behaviour or substance misuse.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is calling for decision-makers, service leaders and practitioners across all sectors to co-operate, working with their local communities, to re-imagine services in a way that will help to improve health inequalities and health outcomes for everyone across the UK. Occupational therapists have the skills and motivation, are based in the right places, they just require the opportunities to drive this system change.
For more information contact: public.affairs@rcot.co.uk