Government announces £50m for health inequalities research

The government has announced it will invest £50m to tackle health inequalities in local areas and improve health outcomes across the country weeks after reportedly ditching a promised national health inequalities white paper. 

The new investment, overseen by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), will allow 14 local authorities to set up Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) with experts and academics to address knowledge gaps in local areas.

The government says this will enable new research into the local challenges affecting people’s health, such as facilitating research to better understand and introduce interventions to help with childhood obesity, COVID-19 recovery, mental wellbeing and drug use.

Last month it was reported that the government was ditching its long-pledged white paper on health inequalities. The government is also planning to scrap measures to tackle obesity.

Thirteen councils across England, plus one in Scotland, are being awarded funding. The councils are: Tower Hamlets, Newcastle, Doncaster, Aberdeen, Bradford, Plymouth, Gateshead, Blackpool, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Medway, Islington, and Lambeth.

This forms part of the government’s Plan for Patients to support people to stay well within the community, easing pressure on health and care services.

Minister of State for Health, Robert Jenrick, said: “The pandemic shone a light on the stark health inequalities that exist across the country – we are committed to levelling up the health of the nation.

“This funding will drive progress to address health challenges locally, particularly in the places and communities most affected by ill health such as high levels of obesity, drug use and poor mental health.

“Everyone should be able to live long, healthy lives regardless of their background and where they live, and this new research will help us deliver on our ambition.”

Every collaboration will be set up in partnership between universities and local government. This will support the development of better data and evidence to inform local decisions to improve people’s health and reduce variations in healthy life expectance between rich and poor.

Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR Chief Executive Officer, said: “Millions of people living in Britain’s towns, cities and regions face a huge range of public health challenges, brought into focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This NIHR research funding will provide a foundation to develop local authorities’ capacity and capability to conduct high-quality research.

“It’s clear that people working in local government have the added advantage of knowing their local areas and communities. This investment will equip them to embed a lasting legacy of research culture to help local populations take important steps forward in tackling health inequalities.”

Photo by CDC