Tackling poor health outcomes in the North could be worth more than £18bn to the nation's economy. That's according to stark new research from the Health Equity North organisation, which has analysed figures showing how the "North-South health divide" is getting worse.

For example, more than quarter of working age adults in the North East are not in work, the report reveals. HEN's second "Health for Wealth" report - sees a range of academics call on the Government to act and address growing gaps in how healthy those in the North East are.

The report features nine recommendations for politicians. These include to create a "regionally focused health inequalities strategy", to invest specifically in tackling northern mental health issues, and to empower combined authorities to act in the area.

This comes seven years on from a previous report, and experts from universities including in Newcastle have found the gap between our health and that of people in the rest of the country has only grown since then. Stark figures include that an astonishing £6.6bn "could be added to the economy if mental health was improved in the North-East".

Other areas of concern include that "morbidity" - defined as people receiving sickness-related benefits - has almost doubled in a decade in the North East. It's now 17.2% - up from 9.3% in 2013.

That is the highest figure for any region in the country and around 5% higher than the average for England. As of 2023, the region also had the highest mortality rate (1115.4467 deaths per 100,000 people) and lowest rate of employment (72.3%) in the country.

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The research team said this all combined to paint a worrying picture. Lead report author Dr Julija Simpson, a research associate at Newcastle University, said: "Since the last Health for Wealth report in 2018, the health divide between the North and the rest of England has not only persisted but deepened.

"This growing inequality is not inevitable, nor is it the fault of individuals - it's the result of policy choices. Addressing this gap must be central to the government's growth and wealth agendas.

"Health and economic performance are deeply intertwined: when communities are healthier, they are more productive, more resilient, and better able to contribute to long-term prosperity. Health policy is economic policy - and investing in the health of people in the North is one of the most effective ways to unlock the country's full economic potential."

Her colleague, Prof Clare Bambra, who is HEN's academic co-director and a professor of public health at the university, added: ""While many welfare and employment reforms are designed to reduce long-term benefit dependency and encourage people back into the workforce, these efforts will not work unless they are supported by sustained investment in public health, health care and mental health services.

"Without addressing the root causes of ill health in the North, we risk pushing people into situations of poverty - worsening their wellbeing and limiting their capacity to work - all while our economy continues to take the hit. To genuinely improve economic participation, we need to ensure that people are not only healthy enough to be able to work, but and also healthy enough to thrive in employment. The link between good health and a strong economy is undeniable - and policy must reflect that reality."

Hannah Davies, HEN's executive direcor said local and national government and the charitable sector were working to address these issues, but added: "The scale of the problem means there is still so much more to do. Our new analysis makes it clear that health investment is not just a social or moral priority, but an economic necessity.

"Poor physical and mental health are holding back the potential of millions of people and, in turn, the productivity of the entire UK. If we want a stronger economy, we must start by building a healthier nation. Prioritising mental health, prevention, and place-based support in the North will deliver lasting returns in prosperity and wellbeing."

In recent months the Government has announced a range of measures designed to tackle barriers which might prevent people from working. This includes the creation of two multi-million pound projects to support the health of people in the North East keep jobs or find them.

The "connect to work" scheme was announced in October, and it will see the North East designated a pilot area which will receive £49.7m directed towards around 13,800 people who may be sick or disabled and will, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said, provide them with "intensive employment support".

A second scheme - WorkWell - kicks off after receiving, as reported by ChronicleLive, £19m to support its focus on helping people to tackle problems from depression to smoking that could put them at risk of having to give up work. The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.