AOP joins coalition to campaign for equal access to healthcare

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has become the first voice in eye care, to join Health Equals as a proud supporter of the campaign. The coalition works to improve the foundations of health and wellbeing across the nation, bringing together over 100 organisations from a wide range of sectors, united by a shared commitment to tackling the inequalities that affect life expectancy and quality of life in the UK.

Among the organisations supporting Health Equals are several with established roles in policy, research and public advocacy, including The Health Foundation, The King’s Fund, NHS Confederation and Patients Association. Their involvement highlights the collective commitment driving efforts toward fairer health outcomes.

The campaign aims to shift the national conversation on health by emphasising that opportunities for good health should be available to all. Health Equals advocates for change through evidence-led campaigns and by working closely with policymakers to ensure that action on health-shaping factors is placed at the centre of national decision making.

John White, AOP Communications and External Affairs Director, said: “We’re delighted to join this important campaign for health. The AOP has long called for equitable patient access to eye care – services that make a significant impact on health and wellbeing outcomes for patients. Good vision is not a luxury or optional ‘extra’, but we know many go without simply because of the postcode they live in or personal hardship.

“Everyone should have access to the care they need. Joining Health Equals reflects our belief that someone’s health should never depend on where they live or the circumstances they are in. The campaign’s focus on the wider factors that shape people’s lives aligns with our commitment to advocating for a system that is fairer for all.”

Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals, said: “We’re extremely glad to welcome the Association of Optometrists as part of the Health Equals coalition. It’s vital that we bring together a diverse range of voices to call on the government to improve health and wellbeing and stop lives being cut short across the UK. It’s an exciting time to be joining Health Equals; building on a successful year in 2025, we’re growing our coalition, activating our Parliamentary Champions Network of MPs and getting ready for more exciting campaigns this year. We look forward to working with AOP in achieving our goal of making health equal.”

The AOP continues to engage with Government and policy makers to ensure that eye health is recognised within wider discussions on health equity, and to highlight the importance of accessible, high-quality community eye care.

In February, the organisation launched its Eye care everywhere campaign, calling for the same level of eye care services to be available to patients across the UK.

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For more information, please contact Anjola Sulaiman, PR and Media Executive, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 0207 549 2062.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

About Health Equals

Health Equals is a coalition of more than 100 organisations across different sectors and areas of focus — from employment to housing, education and the environment — who all want to make a positive difference to society’s health and wellbeing.

Our story

The world around us shapes our health and wellbeing — from quality homes that are warm and safe, to stable jobs, social connections, and neighbourhoods with green space and clean air, these are the building blocks that have a lasting and positive impact on people’s health.

The shocking truth is that, right now across the UK, lives are being cut short by up to 16 years because these building blocks are not available to everyone in the same way, holding too many of us back from good health.

We can do something to change that.

Health Equals was born out of this need to rebuild foundations to improve life expectancy and reverse health inequalities in the UK.

Our purpose

We bring together expertise, influence and knowledge to shape a society where each of us has our best chance of good health, no matter who we are or where we are born, work and live.

Even though the evidence is clear and some steps have been taken to tackle health inequalities, there has been limited take up of policies that prioritise access to the building blocks of health and wellbeing.

Through powerful and evidence-based campaigns, we want to change the conversation around health and wellbeing to recognise the importance of the building blocks of health — and work with policymakers to ensure action on them is put front-and-centre of national policymaking. Together, we're working to make health equal for everyone across the UK.