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Thomson & Chatterjee: Successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities

3 February 2025

Thomson, L.J., Waterson, H. & Chatterjee, H.J. (2024) Successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research: mixed methods analysis of focus group evidence.

An interdisciplinary and nationally funded three-phase research programme, “Mobilising community assets to tackle health inequalities”, was established with the objective of utilising local, cultural, and natural assets to support health and wellbeing. The current study aimed to synthesise evidence collected by research teams awarded funding in phase one of the programme, comprising academic and non-academic, health and social care, voluntary and community partners. Successes included employing practice-based and arts-based methods, being part of a research project for those not normally involved in research, sharing funding democratically, building on established relationships, and the vital role that local assets play in involving communities. Challenges involved a lack of sustainable financial support, the short-term nature of funding, inconsistencies in reaching the poorest people, obtaining the right sort of research evidence, making sufficient research progress, building relationships with already over-burdened health care staff, and redressing the balance of power in favour of communities.

Published by the International Journal for Equity in Health, BMC, Springer Nature