Abstract
Issue
Luton has high deprivation and health inequalities. We have a borough-wide vision that no one should live in poverty by 2040, and have become a health equity town - committed to Marmot policy objectives and recommendations across all we do.
Description
Luton is 70th most deprived local authority in England, with stark health inequalities. To deliver the 2040 ambition, 5 pillars have been established, including tackling health inequalities. Luton has become the first Marmot Town in the UK, working with the Institute of Health Equity to develop recommendations and actions relating to the Marmot Policy objectives. Cross-sector system partnership has been key -NHS, businesses, housing, voluntary sector, university. Year 1: we mapped the Marmot recommendations to existing workstreams; completed a mixed-methods evaluation to understand system views of the approach and establish our impact measures. We established steering groups: Children and young people; Housing; Employment and skills; Net zero, they continue to embed recommendations using logic models. We have an overarching strategic approach, alongside smaller scale programmes, to create a movement. Including: grant funding; regular newsletter; training; case studies repository and annual celebration event.
Results
We have established 15 impact measures across Marmot policy areas to review annually. Qualitative evaluation findings built into work plans include: improved governance and accountability; workforce development across the system; use of logic models; Learning from best practice; sharing knowledge and learning.
Lessons
The wider agenda of Luton 2040 has enabled health inequalities to be embedded into strategic discussions; improved evidence base and clear narrative to support priorities is helpful; clear focused recommendations helps move work forwards; shared understanding of how we will measure long term impact is vital, communicating to the system is key, and long-term ism challenging.
Speakers/Panelists
Lee Watson
East of England Public Health Training Programme, Luton, UK
Ramya Ravindrane
East of England Public Health Training Programme, Luton, UK
Chimeme Egbutah
Luton Borough Council, Luton, UK
Nasreen Ali
University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK