The UK Research and Innovation programme, “Mobilising Community Assets to Tackle Health Inequalities,” is advancing into its third phase, marking a significant step in addressing health disparities within some of the most underserved communities in Britain. This phase will see the initiation of various comprehensive research projects across the UK, all focused on collaboration between health systems and local communities to promote better health outcomes.
During Phase 3, selected projects will receive substantial funding for a duration of three years. The goal is to confront deep-rooted health inequalities prevalent in impoverished areas, particularly by engaging community resources and enhancing systemic connections. Key aims include exploring strategies to effectively address health inequalities in diverse settings, including rural and coastal regions, and fostering collaborative models that can significantly improve the health ecosystem for marginalized groups, such as Roma communities, refugees and migrant populations, individuals facing homelessness, D/deaf communities using British Sign Language, and children and adolescents grappling with mental health challenges.
The findings from Phases 1 and 2 of the programme have yielded valuable insights within their targeted demographics. Approaches grounded in community involvement have proven effective in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in economically disadvantaged areas. Conducting thorough asset mapping has been essential to uncover community strengths and pinpoint resource gaps, ensuring that interventions are tailored to local needs. Involving local individuals in decision-making processes has been crucial for crafting relevant health initiatives and establishing strong community support.
There is a pressing need to simplify efforts for decision-makers—including commissioners, referrers, and health professionals—to efficiently address inequalities and recognize the needs of society’s most vulnerable segments. While funding and commissioning strategies must consider specific local contexts, the co-location of services and inter-organizational collaboration have been identified as the most effective and economically viable approaches to tackling health disparities. Building trust among organizations and stakeholders requires time and flexibility, which are vital for nurturing successful cross-sector partnerships and fostering innovative cooperation.
As the programme moves into this next phase, the insights garnered thus far serve as a foundation for driving effective action and improving health equity across the UK’s diverse communities.
