Addressing Health Inequalities
During the pandemic, we have been addressing the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities.
Overview
Supporting place-based approaches to improve the health of people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19
People in deprived areas are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, and more severely affected due to existing poor health
Actively working with our partners to ensure vulnerable people can access support
Detailed Programme Information
Reports show that people with pre-existing conditions are more likely to have more severe symptoms of COVID-19, and deprived areas show a higher risk of exposure, as well as a concentration of those pre-existing health conditions.
Pre-existing poor health outcomes among black, Asian and ethnic minority communities in the UK is potentially leaving people among these groups at higher risk of dying from COVID-19.
We’ve been working with our partners in health and care to support innovative place-based approaches to identify and support the health and wellbeing of communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Our work in the region during COVID-19
- Working with NHS England’s personalised care team to source hardware for people vulnerable to COVID-19 without access to the internet or the technology they need to access support online.
- Inviting organisations from across the region to share their insights on effective place-based responses to COVID-19 and capturing learning and insights through the Institute for Social Prescribing.
Recommendations for tackling health inequalities in the South West
We have also produced recommendations for tackling health inequalities in the region with our study ‘How place-based approaches can integrate care and reduce health inequalities’.
Presented in an accessible interactive guide, the study provides recommendations for how practitioners can address inequalities. It also includes six case studies that provide in-depth analysis on how various organisations have harnessed resources and built relationships to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations.
The study took place over January and February 2021 and involved 30 interviews and analysis of 88 examples of existing practice. The organisations featured are: The Torbay Community Development Trust, Smartline (a collaborative project in Cornwall), Plymouth Alliance, Wis£rmoney Partnership, Volunteer Cornwall High Intensity User Project and Community Council for Somerset.
For more information on our work to address health inequalities, please contact our Programme Director, William Lilley.
Useful Links
- Interactive guide: How place-based approaches can integrate care and reduce inequalities
- Inequalities report by The Health Foundation
- Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, Public Health England (June 2020)
- The Torbay Community Development Trust
- Smartline
- Plymouth Alliance
- Wis£rmoney Partnership
- Volunteer Cornwall High Intensity User Project
- Community Council for Somerset
