Do you work for a local or combined authority in England and have an interest in policy and actions to improve social determinants of health inequalities? If so, we want to hear from you.
As part of the NIHR SPHR Health inequalities programme, we are exploring ‘levelling up’ and pandemic recovery initiatives which have with the potential to reduce health inequalities by improving the social determinants of health.
What we have done so far
During the first stage of our work, we have investigated what is happening in 15 diverse local authorities across England. After reviewing strategies and plans, exploring websites, and conversations with local authority staff, we have produced a summary table which illustrates the types and focus of initiatives in place.
Take part in our consultation
We now want to know if what we have found reflects what is happening more widely. To do this, we have constructed a short consultation for colleagues from local/combined authorities in England who have an interest in policy and actions to improve the social determinants of health inequalities.
Professor Jennie Popay, co-lead for the Health inequalities programme said:
“Local authorities have a critical role to play in improving the social determinants of health inequalities. To ensure our research programme produces useful evidence to support them to do this, we need as accurate a picture as possible of the rich diversity of action underway locally. We know local authority staff are very busy but the more responses we get the better this picture will be.”
How we will use the findings
The findings from this consultation will help inform the Health inequalities programme’s evaluation of policies and actions to ‘level up’ communities and support recovery which will take place between 2024 and 2027. This research will investigate what is working and whether some approaches are disproportionately benefitting some people and not others, depending on factors such as where they live, their gender, ethnicity and social class.
If you would like more information about our levelling up and pandemic recovery research or would like to be updated about future events and outputs, please contact the team via Rebecca Mead r.mead2@lancaster.ac.uk or Fiona Ward f.j.ward1@lancaster.ac.uk
This consultation will close on Monday 18th September 2023.