Review of deaths between 1921 and 2007 shows inequality is increasing with the poorest more likely to die younger

The gap between the health of the rich and the poor is greater now than at any time since records began, research has shown.

Government initiatives over the past few decades have done little or nothing to close the gap between the life expectancy of poor people compared with those who are wealthy.

A review of deaths between 1921 and 2007 showed inequality between the rich and poor has been increasing, especially in relation to premature deaths.

People in the most deprived areas are much more likely to die younger than those in the richest, and things are no better than during the economic depression of the 1930s, the study found.

Writing online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), researchers from the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol, said: "The last time in the long economic record that inequalities were almost as high was in the lead up to the economic crash of 1929 and the economic depression of the 1930s," researchers said.

But they warned that things could be about to become even worse, with the economic downturn of the past couple of years impacting on the health of Britain's poorest.

"The economic crash of 2008 might precede even greater inequalities in mortality between areas in Britain," they said.

While rates of rising inequalities may have been slowed "some underlying factors, such as unemployment, have been rising rapidly over the course of those two years [2008 and 2009]. Furthermore, in absolute numbers, unemployment has increased fastest in the poorest areas."

By 2007, for every 100 people under 65 dying in the best-off areas, 199 were dying in the poorest. The researchers added: "This is the highest relative inequality recorded since at least 1921."

Among under-75s, for every 100 people dying in the best-off areas, 188 were dying in the poorest.

"Recent government interventions have aimed to reduce these inequalities, but, the evidence suggests, to little effect," experts said.

They analysed death rates in England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics, and for Scotland from the General Register Office for Scotland. The data on under-75s was from 1990 to 2007 and from 1921 for under-65s.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the British Medical Association (BMA), said: "This paper provides an insight into the extent of health inequalities in the UK and how much needs to be done to address this issue.

"We need to look at the causes of ill health to really make a difference. "Doctors will need to work across sectors to point out the health impacts of policy decisions."

Health minister Anne Milton said: "The government has made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority. We need a new approach to improve the health of the poorest, fastest. One that works across government to include factors that affect health that lie outside the NHS, such as poverty, housing, education and the environment.

"We need to step up our efforts to improve the health of the poorest. We have already set out how we want to see the NHS, doctors and local government working together to improve the health of those who need it most.

"Later this year we will publish a public health white paper, which will incorporate wider proposals to improve the public health of the nation."