Which population groups are at risk and why?
This section will focus on core epidemiological issues that take account of fixed risk factors (such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history) and modifiable risk factors (such as behaviour). The wider determinants of health (such as housing, transport and environment) are also considered.
Age
In Q4 2024 the employment rate in the UK was highest among 35 to 49-year-old’s (85.8%). Whereas, 12.1% of over 65s and 50% of 16 to 24-year-old’s were employed1.
Younger age groups are more likely to be in full time education whilst older age groups are more likely to be economically inactive for reasons of ill health, retirement and caring responsibilities.
Gender
In Hartlepool, 78.7% of men are in employment and 72.2% of women are in employment. As of January 2025, 6% of men and 3.8% of women are claiming out-of-work benefits.
In Hartlepool, the gross weekly pay for male full-time workers is £700.40 and for female full-time workers the gross weekly pay is £585.8.2
Although the gender pay gap is slowly diminishing, men have on average £92,762 more in total wealth than women (35%), by age 64 the average gender wealth gap is 42% 3.
Females from the lowest SES quintile are less likely to be in a good labour market outcome than males from the same quintile, while females from the highest SES quintile are more likely to be a good outcome than males from the same4.
Socioeconomic status
Young people (excluding FT-students) who lived in a workless household at age 14 years were less likely in 2022 to be in employment and more likely to be economically inactive than young people from every other socioeconomic background5 (ONS, 2022). Similarly with 25-34 years and 35-49 years.
Qualitative research in 2022 by Forage showed 50% of jobseekers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds feel they miss out on unemployment opportunities due to unfair recruitment processes6 (Crush, 2022).
Graduates from lower SES backgrounds have more difficulty finding suitable employment after graduating7.
Individuals from lower SES quintiles are less likely to be in a good labour market outcome and more likely to be in a poor outcome than those from higher SES quintiles4 (Department for Education, 2024).
Qualifications
On average, those who study qualifications in higher education (HE) or further education (FE) earn more compared to those who do not. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately less likely to attend universities or study subjects associated with higher earnings when compared to wealthier peers with similar grades8.
On average, studying for a qualification in higher education or further education is positively correlated with someone’s future earnings8.
Students who pursue higher education qualifications earn more money and are more likely to be employed compared to peers with no qualifications beyond GCSEs.
Mental health
Those with work-limiting mental health conditions are half as likely to be in work compared to those with no health conditions. Additionally, those with non-work-limiting mental health conditions have higher employment rates that match those of people with no health conditions, they are more likely to have lower pay once in work9.
Unemployment worsens mental health and gaining employment can improve mental health, even for people with the most serious mental illnesses10.
Poor mental health accounts for more than half of all work-related illnesses11.
Ethnicity
Young people from Pakastani, Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian, Mixed and ‘Other’ ethnic groups were significantly more likely to be unemployed than White British young people from the same socio-economic background12.
Those in minority ethnic groups experience difficulties such as; 38% are more likely to have their shift hours cancelled unexpectantly (24% white shift workers), 45% of all minority ethnic workers are given less than a week’s notice of shifts, 27% in insecure jobs were forced to increase reliance on credit/debit due to short notice of working hours / cancelled shifts. 24% who experienced short notice period / cancellations are forced to pay higher childcare costs as a result13.
Prisoners
A study found prisoners sentenced between 18 months and four years are less likely to re-offend on release than those sentenced to less than 12 months14.
Sexual Orientation
Gay and lesbian adults (24.8%) are less likely to be economically inactive than heterosexual adults (38.8%). Partially as they are disproportionately younger than heterosexual adults, therefore more likely to be of working age15.
A report based on YouGov research with 3,213 LGBT employees found 18% who were looking for work said they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the previous year. 1 in 8 black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT employees have lost a job in the last year because of being LGBT (4% white LGBT staff)16.
Vulnerable Children
Care leavers are 3 times more likely not to be in education, employment or training (NEET) than other young people17.
Analysis of data for LAC show those who were looked after during secondary school have a lower probability of being in employment and are likely to have lower earnings when employed and a higher dependency on out-of-work benefits than all individuals18.