Tackling poverty must be as much of a priority as bringing down waiting lists to improve people's health and to use NHS resources in the best way, a report by The King's Fund says.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"It's vital the government recognises how important investment in public health is in reducing rates of poverty to tackle the many factors behind deep-rooted health inequalities.

"Much more funding is needed if we are going to reverse the effects of years of local public health cuts which have undermined efforts to improve people's physical and mental health and wellbeing and added to strain on stretched NHS services.

"A healthy economy relies on a healthy population. The government and the NHS must work hand in hand to create the picture of health we all want to see."