Cross-sector collaboration to reduce health inequalities: a qualitative study of local collaboration between health care, social services, and other sectors under health system reforms in England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Policymakers across countries promote cross-sector collaboration as a route to improving health and health equity. In England, major health system reforms in 2022 established 42 integrated care systems (ICSs)-area-based partnerships between health care, social care, public health, and other sectors-to plan and coordinate local services. ICSs cover the whole of England and have been given explicit policy objectives to reduce health inequalities, alongside other national priorities.

Methods

We used qualitative methods to understand how local health care and social services organizations are collaborating to reduce health inequalities under England's reforms. We conducted in-depth interviews between August and December 2022-soon after the reforms were implemented-wit

SUBMITTER: Alderwick H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11438096 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature