From Fringe to Centre-Stage: experiences of mainstreaming health equity in a health research collaboration


Porroche-Escudero, Ana, Popay, Jennie, Ward, Fiona, Ahmed, Saiqa, Akeju, Dorkas, Cloke, Jane ORCID: 0000-0001-6332-9186, Gabbay, Mark ORCID: 0000-0002-0126-8485, Hassan, Shaima ORCID: 0000-0001-7840-3342, Khan, Koser and Kkhedmati-Morasae, Esmaeil (2019) From Fringe to Centre-Stage: experiences of mainstreaming health equity in a health research collaboration.

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Abstract

<h4>Background: </h4> Action to address the structural determinants of health inequalities is prioritised in high level initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and many national health strategies. Yet, the focus of much local policy and practice is on behaviour change. Research shows that whilst lifestyle approaches can improve population health, at best they fail to reduce health inequalities because they fail to address structural determinants of behaviour and health outcomes. In health research most efforts have been directed at three streams of work: understanding causal pathways; evaluating the equity impact of national policy; and developing and evaluating lifestyle/behavioural approaches to health improvement. As a result, there is a dearth of research on effective interventions to reduce the socio-economic drivers of inequalities in health that can be developed and implemented at a local level. <h4>Objective:</h4> To report on an evaluation of the attempt by the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West Coast (CLAHRC-NWC) - a UK based collaboration- to build capacity amongst staff, partner organizations and members of the public for research and action on addressing structural determinants of health inequities. <h4>Methods:</h4> The evaluation used multiple qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, focus groups and workshops (n=131 respondents including Public Advisers, university, NHS and local government partners). Routine data included HIAT feedback forms. <h4>Results:</h4> Utilising Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) and Gender Mainstreaming theory the evaluation illuminated: (i) the processes developed by CLAHRC NWC to integrate ways of thinking and acting to tackle the root causes of health inequities (i.e. to mainstream a health equity focus) and, (ii) the factors that promoted or frustrated these efforts. <h4>Conclusions:</h4> Findings highlight the role of processes aimed at developing and implementing a robust strategy for mainstreaming health equity as building blocks for transformative change in applied health research and care.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: 8 Health and social care services research, 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services, Generic health relevance, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 5 Gender Equality
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 22 Oct 2021 13:56
Last Modified: 12 Apr 2024 02:35
DOI: 10.21203/rs.2.19242/v1
Open Access URL: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-9855/v1
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3141282

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