We focus on four complex health issues more prevalent in urban areas
With the Social Progress Imperative, we've developed the first neighbourhood level, health-focused social progress index of its kind.
With Wellcome Trust
We want to hear from you.
Multiple long-term conditions
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We are funding new research to explore the interaction of social circumstances and health in inner-city London.
The seven research areas will focus on people with long-term conditions. We want to better understand how and why working-age people progress – sometimes rapidly – from one long-term condition to many. Crucially, we want to know what can be done to slow this down.
The research projects will explore a breadth of topics including:
With King’s Health Partners, we run the Multiple Long-Term Conditions Challenge Fund. This has funded all seven research projects.
We know people’s economic, social and housing situations can contribute to poor health. We also know there are many places effective health interventions can take place – not just healthcare settings.
Some of the proposals looked at spaces like homelessness services, food banks and workplaces. These are all places where changes can improve the health of people living with long-term conditions.
As well as exploring different settings, some proposals explored conditions as ‘trigger points’. These trigger points lead to the progression from one to many long-term conditions. For example, our evidence suggests that depression plays a key role in the development of further long-term conditions.
“ We're encouraged to see high-quality projects on the wider social determinants of long-term conditions. Tackling these will prevent 10 - 15 years of avoidable ill health, experienced by people living in deprived areas of our place today. Barbara Reichwein Programme Director for multiple long-term conditions
We're encouraged to see high-quality projects on the wider social determinants of long-term conditions. Tackling these will prevent 10 - 15 years of avoidable ill health, experienced by people living in deprived areas of our place today.
In total, we received 41 research proposals. Proposals were reviewed across two rounds by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts, chaired by Professor Kevin Fenton, Strategic Director of Place and Wellbeing at Southwark Council.
The research projects will run over 24 months until June 2021, with a half-way check-in point. The full list of research we’re supporting is as follows:
Are you a researcher interested in multiple long-term conditions? Find out more about our funding.
Our work shows a strong link between a lack of financial security and ill-health. We're designing financial interventions to promote better health.
Exploring people’s progression to multiple long-term conditions in an urban environment
Sharing the research we commissioned into the potential role employment can play in slowing progression from one long-term condition to many.
We're working to support community organising, develop partnerships with local organisations and provide employment and welfare support.