00:01Recent research from the Northern Head and Neck Alliance and Health Equity North reveals stark
00:08inequalities in head and neck cancer outcomes across Liverpool and the wider North. Analysis
00:14shows patients in the most socio-economically deprived areas are almost two and a half times
00:20more likely to die than those in affluent communities and are 16% more likely to be
00:25diagnosed with advanced disease. Delays in treatment remain significant with almost half
00:31missing the NHS 62-day target. Lower HPV vaccine uptake and reduced dental referrals contribute
00:39to preventable risk. Experts are now calling for targeted tobacco and alcohol support,
00:46fairer NHS access, community-informed service design and greater research investment.
00:52Northern universities and NHS trusts contributed to the report, highlighting practical actions.
00:59Those include expanding stop-smoking programmes and HPV vaccination in disadvantaged schools
01:05to reduce future risk. Strengthening primary care and dentistry service helps detect cancer earlier,
01:12improving survival rates while monitoring waiting time disparities ensures timely treatment.
01:18Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council,
01:23emphasises that tackling head and neck cancer disparities offers a template for wider health equity.
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