The life expectancy of a woman living in Lancashire is 16 years less than a woman born down south.

A new Government body aiming to tackle health inequality in England will be launching next month, after the stark health disparities were exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) found that the life expectancy of a woman living in Blackpool was 16 years less than a woman born in Brent, London.

The DHSC added that ill health among working-age people costs the economy around £100billion a year, and an estimated 40 per cent of health care provision in the UK is being used to manage potentially preventable conditions.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will now aim to combat the top preventable risk factors for poor health – including obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption, the Government has said.

Under the umbrella of the DHSC, the new office is launching on October 1 and will be co-led by the newly appointed deputy chief medical officer (DCMO) Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy and Jonathan Marron.

In an effort to close the health inequality gap and ease pressure on the NHS, the OHID will work to improve access to health services and co-ordinate with Government departments to address broader drivers of health, including employment, housing, education and the environment.

Dr de Gruchy said it will “play a critical role in reducing health inequalities” across the country.

She said: “Covid has exposed and exacerbated the health inequalities across the UK.

“It is critical we address these head-on and support people to live healthier lives. I look forward to getting started.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “By focusing on preventing and not just treating poor health, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will tackle health disparities to break the link between people’s background and their prospects for a healthy life.”

Dr de Gruchy will be stepping down from her current roles, including being president of the Association of Directors of Public Health to advise the Government as DCMO under the leadership of CMO Professor Chris Whitty.