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University of Essex homepage Research Topics Health inequalities and health systems
Research topic

Health inequalities and health systems

Woman holding the hand of an elder who is, in turn, holding a ball

Health inequalities, the unfair and avoidable differences in health, are one of the most pressing public, population, and global health challenges of our time. Reducing health inequalities requires understanding and tackling the multitude of factors contributing to such inequalities, including the social and wider determinants of health, and supporting health systems with the best evidence base for making informed organisation- and practice-focused decisions. Our research employs diverse methodologies to understand the lived experiences of the disadvantaged, the bolsters and barriers in their communities, and the policies contributing to impact health and care provision. We work with our community and governmental stakeholders to drive need-based research that will promote fairer and better health and care, championed by strategic research centres – the Centre for Coastal Communities and Centre for Global Public Health.

Research projects

Evaluation of the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board health inequality projects

Project aims: To evaluate a series of interventions commissioned by the MSE-ICB with the aim to reduce regional health inequalities (such as befriending, blood pressure, social prescribing, green prescribing) and improving access to services. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods ad hoc evaluation tools are used to provide the evidence needed for scaling-up services and future investments.

Team members

  • Dr Shadi Rahimzadeh - Postdoctoral research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Tracey Johns - Senior Research Officer in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex
  • Dr Sara Jalali-Farahani - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Dr Honor Bixby - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
  • Natalie Evans - Postgraduate Research Student in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex
  • Prof. Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex
Funder
Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System

Which place-based policies would be most effective in levelling up the life chances of young people living in coastal towns, to the rest of the UK?

Project aims: To examine the ways in which growing up in a Coastal Town can impact on young people’s life chances – that is, their likelihood of having good outcomes in adulthood in terms of education, work, and health/wellbeing.

Team members

Dr Emily Murray
Dr Emily Murray

Director

Centre for Coastal Communities, University of Essex

Funder
ESRC, through Understanding Society at Essex

Coastal youth: Exploring the impact of coastal towns on young people's life chances

Project aims: To examine the ways in which growing up in a coastal town can impact on young people’s life chances; that is, their likelihood of having good outcomes in adulthood in terms of education, work, housing, and health and wellbeing. We focus on coastal towns as some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK are now in coastal areas.

Further information can be found here.

Team members

  • Dr Emily Murray - Director of the Centre for Coastal Communities, University of Essex
  • Prof. Avril Keating - Associate Professor of Education, Practice and Society, University College London
  • Prof. Stephen Jivraj - Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London
  • Prof. Claire Cameron - Professor at the Social Research Institute, University College London
  • Dr Sam Whewall - Research Fellow in education, Practice and Society, University College London
Funder
ESRC

Dementia - Intersectional Narratives

Project aims: To capture the experiences of two groups of people, LGBT+ people and carers living with Dementia and people under 65 living with dementia and their carers. It takes a Rights-Based research approach to empower participants to further present their experiences to commissioners or providers and/or undertake further research conversations as Expert Researchers. It seeks to identify microaggressions, heteronormative structures, and symbolic interactions to identify the components and processes to ensure Person-Centred Support in provision.

Further information can be found here.  

Team members

Clare Hammerton
Clare Hammerton

Senior Research Officer

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Funders
NIHR
Alzheimer's Society

Impact evaluation of the Health Wellbeing and Care Hub

Project aims: To design the evaluation strategy for the University of Essex Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub and develop an innovative evidenced-based research approach being applied to all services and interventions.

Team members

Funder
Health Education England

Research into new ways of working and co-production within 3 ICSs & increase collaboration in practice to deliver health services and address inequalities

Project aims: To explore collaborative working opportunities between 3 ICSs in Essex County and aim to deliver a joined-up intervention to address health inequalities in the county.

Team members

Ben Gould
Ben Gould

Research Fellow

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Funder
Health Education England
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