Innovative project to tackle health inequalities launched
22 January, 2025
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Researchers from the University of South Wales (USW) are part of a £4million research project to tackle health inequalities and improve health outcomes for residents in Torfaen.
Torfaen Council and its partners have been successful in a bid to set up a Health Determinants Research Collaboration – which, alongside Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, will be the first institute in Wales, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
HDRC Torfaen will see research and data experts work alongside the council and communities to examine how health and well-being outcomes can be improved in a sustainable way.
This is the latest stage in the council’s mission to transform health and well-being inequalities in Torfaen, working with the health service, community councils, housing associations and charities in areas that have the biggest impact on people’s long-term health outcomes.
Carolyn Wallace, Professor of Community Health and Care Services at USW, said: “The Torfaen HDRC will bring together expertise in the wider determinants of health. It will combine local government knowledge with research skills from the academic community. We aim to improve the evidence base on which to make policy decisions in important areas that impact on health and health inequalities such as drug-related deaths, violent crime, issues facing children and young people, employment and skills, as well as tackling wider deprivation.
“Partnerships and collaboration are central to the delivery of USW’s 2030 strategy, which includes a commitment to improving the future well-being of the communities we serve through individual and collective action.”
David Leech, Strategic Director for Adults and Communities, said: "We face a significant challenge to reverse the stark health inequalities that now exist within our communities.
"We're embracing this challenge to ensure resources are targeted to where it can have the greatest impact on lives. By improving research and collaboration, we can get to the root causes of inequality and devise interventions that can have the greatest impact on public health.
"We believe that communities are really well placed to shape the support that best meets people’s well-being needs in their areas.
"Our innovative approach will see us providing community groups and organisations with the right resources and capacity building support to increase the well-being support that they can offer. This approach relies heavily on research so that we understand what resources and support are needed where.”
Recently, academics from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, in Rishikesh, joined cabinet members to learn more about the project.
Dr Vartika Saxena, Dr Ajeet Bhadoria Singh and Professor Carolyn Wallace met with Executive Members Cllr Jo Gauden and Cllr Richard Clark, as well as Jason Lewis, Head of Democratic Services, and Gareth Cooke, Head of HDRC Torfaen.
The five-year collaboration, led by the council, will bring together partners from University of South Wales and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
According to the Gwent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, women in Torfaen do not live as long as men and have the lowest life expectancy compared to the rest of Gwent.
Additionally, Torfaen has a higher than Welsh average number of people with a recorded mental health condition. The HDRC will conduct applied research into these areas to help identify appropriate interventions.
The work of the HDRC Torfaen will be guided by the council's County Plan Well-being Objectives and the Marmot Principles developed by epidemiology expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot.