The primary focus of this WS will be on the impacts of policies/actions aiming to level up health and support recovery in diverse disadvantaged places/communities (e.g., rural, urban, coastal) and in groups experiencing intersecting axis of inequalities (e.g. ethnicity, gender, disability, age). Outcomes are likely to include improvements in population health and equity and in structural determinants of health inequalities such as improved living and working conditions, reduced stigma and discrimination, increased neighbourhood pride/reputation and greater community influence in decision-making. The research will also recognise the potential for unintended negative impacts.

WP1: A mapping review of policy/action with potential to reduce health inequalities being implemented now or the next 1-2 years and evidence on social and health impacts. With WP2 this will contribute to the development of a logic model/theory of change for phase 2 research.
WP2: Review existing conceptual frameworks for policy/actions with potential to level up health building on work by SPHR members [7] and the Levelling up White Paper’s ‘Capitals’ framework [15].
WP3: Review of existing tools, measures, frameworks, data sets for evaluating the social and health impacts of Levelling Up/pandemic recovery policies/actions including the potential for modelling longer-term impacts. It will include qualitative and quantitive approaches and link closely with WS3.
WP4: Primary research to understand how the concept of levelling up is understood in different geographical contexts and by different stakeholders (LAs, public health and communities) and which approaches to effective knowledge mobilisation will work best for which groups. It will also ensure that phase 2 research is contextually relevant to different parts of the country and that we put in place processes to mobilise knowledge for policy and practice in a timely and effective way.