Places & communities - What is known? Stakeholder views and research synthesis

Public health funding in local authorities has been reduced every year since 2015/16, with further cuts of around £600 million by 2020/21. Local public health practitioners participating in the 2017 School for Public Health Research sandpit events were clear that more evidence of impacts, feasibility and cost-effectiveness was needed to support decisions around reducing health burdens and inequalities during times of economic scarcity and uncertainty about future resourcing.  As a result of these discussions this work package aims to inform local level decision-making on delivering place-based strategies to improve health and reduce inequalities during times of economic insecurity.  It begins with review of academic literature, followed by workshops with practitioners, policy-makers and members of the public to understand the different approaches available to delivering cost-effective public health strategies in times of reduced funding.  During the workshops there will be discussions with practitioners and policy-makers about the kinds of approaches that are being used in different areas of the UK. The project team will seek the views of members of the public about their priority areas for action.  The team will combine these views and review them alongside the academic literature and local reports to develop a clear evidence base for local public health practitioners about how to prioritise resources to improve health and reduce inequalities.