Addressing health inequalities through engagement with people and communities

Identify relevant existing assets and knowledge (and gaps).

Identify the foundations for engagement by gathering existing knowledge, data, and resources while highlighting any gaps. Establish who needs to be involved, focusing on those most affected by health inequalities and people with protected characteristics. This phase ensures that all subsequent engagement is targeted, evidence-based, and capable of addressing disparities effectively.

Improvement areas

1. Identifying stakeholders: Identify all stakeholders who may influence or be affected by the project, including system partners, VCSE organisations, and people and communities - particularly those most at risk of health inequalities.
2. Reviewing evidence: Review data and evidence to identify health inequalities, prioritise needs, and guide targeted, effective engagement and interventions.
3. Resources: Allocating resources to ensure equitable engagement, prioritising accessibility, and addressing barriers faced by under-served communities experiencing health inequalities.
4. Skills and capacity: Equipping staff with skills to engage inclusively and equitably, addressing health inequalities through culturally competent, community-centred approaches.