£5million research grant awarded to Glasgow to tackle health inequalities

Following a successful development year - announced in January 2024 - the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has now confirmed the grant to the partnership consisting of the Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Strathclyde. 

Glasgow is only the second city in Scotland to secure funding.

The partnership's successful application focuses on using data and research to inform and influence decision making on the wider determinants of health.

This includes a focus on employment, housing, education, and the physical environment - and to co-design and evaluate solutions that will help to improve the health and wellbeing of every person in the city regardless of their circumstances.

The team's aim also aligns with the city's commitment to helping to tackle child poverty and will complement and build on existing work through the city's Child Poverty Programme.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council welcomed the 5-year funding to kick start the city research following the development year and help transform lives through data and research.

Cllr Aitken said: "We have a long and proud history of collaboration between the council, NHSGGC and the University of Glasgow and the last 12 months in the development phase have illustrated how working together can produce innovative ways to help towards eradicating health inequalities in our city.

"Glasgow's health challenges are well documented and we have the lowest life expectancy in the country.

"The ongoing impact and aftermath of the pandemic and the tightening grip of the cost-of-living challenges has had a disproportionate consequence on our most poorest communities.

"We need to do everything that we can to identify barriers and find ways in which we can overcome them.

"Our citizens deserve the very best support, and I continue to champion this collaborative research and development work that has the capability to make a difference.

"Initial work will focus on policies to continue to reduce child poverty - and build on the work we have been doing over the last few years.

"If we can secure early intervention in this area, I know that this will have a positive impact on many areas on the health and wellbeing of Glasgow's people." 

Engagement with stakeholders and target audiences will be the key to deliver on the aims of the partnership and collaboration and the use of data and research to influence solutions will be crucial to success.

Professor Chris Pearce, Vice Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Glasgow said: "The University is proud to co-lead the NIHR Health Research Determinants Collaboration in Glasgow and delighted that it has now received full HDRC status. 

"The School of Health and Wellbeing has a long tradition of research on the social, economic and environmental determinants of health and health inequalities in Glasgow, and through this collaboration our researchers will continue to ensure their expertise can benefit our local communities. 

"Through HDRC Glasgow, we will continue to build on our existing collaboration with Glasgow City Council, as well as our other partners, to create new, solutions-focussed research that will ultimately benefit the communities and people of Glasgow and beyond."

Professor Ian Rivers, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde, said: "The University of Strathclyde is delighted to become a partner in this prestigious HDRC award which represents a significant investment in tackling health inequalities and builds upon Strathclyde's strong commitment to collaboration and partnership working for real-world impact. 

"We look forward to working closely with the Council, partners and contributing to solutions-focused research that will help address some of the most pressing health challenges in our communities."

Dr. Von Wissmann, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde  said: "I very much welcome this significant HDRC award to enable us all to better tackle health inequalities, the consequences of  which we see in our doctors surgeries and hospitals every day. The health board have been supportive of this collaborative from the outset and wish to thank all the staff, from across the partners, who have managed to bring this opportunity to the city"