Table 2. Study results.

First author, year	Summary of audit	Main findings
Badrick (2014), UK19	The audit aimed to reduce health inequalities by ethnicity, age and gender in the management of three common chronic diseases (CHD, DMT2 and COPD).	Baseline inequalities in each condition across the three east London areas were identified. At a crude level, performance in cholesterol, BP and HbA1c improved in all areas over time. All ethnic groups showed improvement, but there was no evidence of a reduction in differences between ethnic groups.Over the 3 year study, a reduction in health inequalities was measured in some groups (such as patients over 85 years with diabetes) with only slight reductions in, continued, or worsened inequalities observed in most other groups. Compared with the neighbouring areas, Tower Hamlets (receiving the intervention) had smaller improvement levels in CHD, higher absolute changes in both diabetes measures, and small but similar changes in rates of smoking in COPD patients. The study reported positive GP responses to the intervention providing assistance in conducting/interpreting HEAs.Reductions in gender and age group differences were noted in DMT2 and CHD.
Pringle (2013), UK17	This HEA looks at the use and success of Lewisham’s SSS from April 2007 to March 2012 by age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group and location. In addition, the views of a small no of service users and advisers were sought on factors that may affect the use and success of the service.	Since the last equity audit more smokers from ‘black and ethnic minority groups’ were using the service. In addition, this HEA shows that over the last 5 years the SSS was reaching an increasing number of people from deprived areas. More quit dates were set by smokers from deprived areas than from less deprived areas. Overall, this HEA shows inequality across Lewisham’s smokers in the use and success of Lewisham’s SSS in terms of the need for SSS. The population groups that seemed to be underrepresented in their use of the service were: younger smokers, older women, Indian men, Chinese men, white Irish men and black African smokers. Additionally, smokers from more deprived areas, routine and manual workers, students and unemployed smokers were less likely to successfully quit smoking.
Roe (2014), UK16Roe (2018), UK18	This HEA assesses the distribution of the Durham SSS and its effectiveness relative to deprivation levels within County Durham and the two clinical commissioning groups within its borders.	2014—Compared with the results of the 2007 HEA there has been an increase in the relative index of inequality for access and quit rates as well as a reduction in the difference between the two, indicating that the County Durham SSS is contributing to a reduction in health inequalities.2018—The County Durham SSS has been successful in contributing to a reduction in the equity gap, seeing a consistent increase in the relative index of inequality for access and quit rates. This was true for services accessed in pharmacies, primary care, and specialist SSS. The audit found a higher rate of pregnant smokers in more deprived areas, but also a higher quit rate for pregnant smokers who accessed the services in more deprived areas. This indicates that the County Durham SSS is contributing to a reduction in health inequalities.

BP, blood pressure; CCG, Clinical Commissioning Groups; CHD, coronary heart disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DMT2, type 2 diabetes mellitus; GP, general practitioner; HbA1c, haemoglobin A1c; HEA, health equity audit; SSS, Stop Smoking Service.