British Academics and local government collaborate to address health inequalities

(Commonwealth Union) – Most issues surrounding health inequalities are generally universal, impacting every part of the globe. However, low-income groups in poorer nations are generally more effected. Across the UK, the life expectancy and quality of life is heavily reflected on better health outcomes and greater life expectancy in more affluent neighborhoods in comparison to low-income neighborhoods.

Lancaster University is set to join hands with the council of Blackpool located in the northwest coast of England, on a pioneering £5 million (approximately 5.64 million in US dollars) National Institute for Health and Care Research, health inequalities research collaboration. The funding is part of a larger national investment by the Department of Health and Social Care that will oversee 13 local authorities implement innovative Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) between experts and academics, to bridge the knowledge gaps of local areas.

Blackpool, will see the project turn their attention to daily experiences of residents and evidence will shed light on how council and health services are designed and implemented. The goal is to ultimately enhance the community’s health. The community members are to be included to co-research and see that people’s experiences of dealing with health inequalities in the town are understood.

The collaborations of the organizations are set to involve residents with key areas of interest such as the 1^st 3 years of life, housing, education, employment and skills and mental health. “We very much look forward to collaborating with our Blackpool partners on this important regional initiative” said Professor Jo Rycroft-Malone, Executive Dean of Health and Medicine at Lancaster University and further stated “By working in partnership with our communities to find and use research about health determinants we will accelerate the improvement of outcomes for people in the area.”

The findings of the collaboration are likely to go beyond Blackpool and could give insights to other British cities.