Using linked health and Local Authority data to advance understanding of the social determinants of multimorbidity and inform service provision

The number of those living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) is rising. People living in the most disadvantaged circumstances are more likely to develop MLTC earlier in life and have co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.

Councils hold an array of anonymous data describing the social circumstances of their residents. This can be used to better understand the social circumstances of residents with multimorbidity and better plan health and care services.

We identified how many working age adults in Barking and Dagenham in 2019/20 had MLTC, and associations between household tenure and MLTC.

We found working age residents living in social housing had 30% higher chances of having MLTC than owner occupiers. Chances were nearly 50% higher in individuals with depression or anxiety. Private renters had 20% less chance of having MLTC than owner occupiers.

Findings were presented to local public health teams and NHS commissioners in North Central/North East London to inform local service planners who design health and care services. Findings also informed population health management developments, including influencing plans to incorporate housing information on healthcare dashboards.

NIHR School for Public Health Research

London Boroughs of Islington 

University College London

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine