How can LAs most effectively influence wider determinants to reduce inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of their residents?

Housing, safety, employment and the physical environment can all affect people’s health and wellbeing. This research aims to reduce inequalities by examining how local government can improve these ‘wider determinants’ of health: the environments in which people grow up, work and live. 

We will first map the range of policies that could improve one domain (e.g. housing), the cost and the institution(s) that can authorise, fund and implement each intervention. We will then conduct a comparative evaluation of a large, local government-led intervention to improve that issue.  

This research, conducted by local government staff, aims to expand what can be done to address these wider determinants of health and improve how governments deliver these programmes, particularly for people who are most in need. The research will also identify who else needs to take action, such as central government, businesses and community organisations.