Resources

The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a widely used measure in public health research and policymaking relating to health inequalities. By identifying areas with the greatest levels of deprivation, resources can be allocated more effectively to tackle systemic issues that contribute to unequal health outcomes. This blog provides an overview of the IMD and it’s use in public health research.

In this blog, Sharon Cumberbatch, an NHS nurse, shares her life story as a first-generation black British Caribbean, a health care trainee and a health care professional. In honour of Black History Month, Sharon reflects on the aspirations that have driven her in life, her experiences of systemic racism but also experiences of solidarity. She highlights the importance of learning – about the world but also about our own and others’ histories – as the cornerstone of caring communities.

In this blog, Chris Frederick, a Lived Experience Advisor, explores how his life has been shaped by the intergenerational and historical trauma experienced by his family and within black communities. In honour of Black History Month, Chris traces the connections between the Windrush Generation, the Brixton riots, and the rise of Black mental health advocacy in the 21st century, highlighting the ongoing work of black communities to address health inequalities and tackle mental health stigma.

A healthy population is key to citizen wellbeing, a productive economy and manageable public services. Policy decisions on jobs, income, housing, education, transport and green space have a major impact on health, but do not involve the Department of Health and Social Care. As the government sets out policies to deliver on its manifesto commitments, how can we ensure health is considered across government, mitigating the potential adverse impacts, ensuring equity and accentuating the positives? Here we argue that Health Impact Assessments are a key tool to cross-government action on health and health inequalities.

In this evidence brief, we examine the current state of Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) in the UK and their potential to reduce health inequalities. HIAs are essential to the Health in All Policies approach, which integrates health considerations across government. We offer recommendations to increase HIA use, emphasising the need for stronger leadership and dedicated resources to fully embed HIAs in national policy-making.

Discussions around population health and economic growth and their interconnectedness have intensified since the new government came to power. Parliament and cabinet members highlight the importance of cutting NHS waiting times and optimising prevention programmes to enable people to stay healthy and economically active. What seems to be less discussed – at least for now – is how the fundamental drivers of poor health and health inequalities will be tackled and to what extent the NHS can contribute to this goal. 

General practices serving the most deprived populations receive less funding per weighted patient than those serving the least deprived. Here we show that this inequality is driven by a higher concentration of dispensing practices in more affluent areas.