Health Inequality in Plain Sight Report

In June 2025, we published our report, ‘Health inequality in plain sight: The need for better alopecia care’. Financial support was provided to Alopecia UK as a grant from Pfizer Ltd.  

What we did? 

The aim of the report was to gain a better understanding of alopecia care in NHS England. We submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and conducted a survey of our community. Analysis of the information received from the FOI requests and community survey led to the publication of our report. Whilst the study focused on NHS England, we believe the report’s recommendations are valid across the whole of the UK.  

What we found? 

Disappointingly the report’s key finding was that 64% of people living with alopecia are not satisfied with the care they are receiving from the NHS. This is perhaps not surprising given that only six ICBs responded that they had a patient pathway for alopecia. A patient pathway is a set of steps that need to be taken by a healthcare system to ensure people get the care and treatment they need.  

In addition, we found significant issues in accessing treatments - both pharmaceutical and wigs, and in getting vital mental health support. Those living in England may find it helpful to review this summary of FoI responses on three key questions around availability of patient pathway, prescribing of ritlecitinib and wig policy, to find out how their ICB responded. 

What are our recommendations? 

The report makes six recommendations in total but our key recommendation is that: 

“All Integrated Care Boards should have a pathway for alopecia, that aligns with existing best practice such as the British Association of Dermatologists’ guideline to develop pathways for alopecia areata.” 

We believe that implementing this recommendation would vastly improve NHS care for people living with alopecia in England. 

Read our full report here

Take action:  

To raise the profile of the report’s findings and to encourage decision makers to engage with its recommendations there are three things you can do: 

• Write to your local MP and ask them to highlight the issues raised in the report in Parliament.

• Write to your local NHS organisation (see below) to ask them what they will be doing to implement the findings of the report. Although our report focuses on problems identified in England, if you believe the issues are mirrored in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can use this report to advocate for change in your own nation. 

• Share details of the report on social media to raise the profile of the key issues it identifies.  

In England, you can contact your local Integrated Care Board.

In Scotland, you can contact your local Health Board.

In Wales, you can contact your Health Board or Trust. 

In Northern Ireland, you can contact your Trust.