Policy precis: Making the link: health, education, and inequality

The number of years spent in formal education is closely related to health outcomes, both amongst individuals and across populations. Equally, health status in early years and later in life affects our ability to participate in education and society. The main factor that determines both health and educational outcomes is socio-economic status. By investing in good quality, accessible education – especially in early years – we can start to break and prevent the cycle of poverty and social exclusion, and its harmful effects on mental and physical health. The links between health, education, and inequality are explored in a new Policy Precis from EuroHealthNet. It provides an overview of related international and European programmes and policies, actions in individual countries, and recommendations for progress. (author abstract)