The challenge, our vision and ambition
South east London faces significant population health challenges, some of which are common to urban locations and some of which are unique to our area.
Whilst there have been some successes in these areas which we should be proud of, the overall picture is still stark. Across our area:
- there remains a high burden of disease, both physical and mental;
- 21-45% of premature deaths in our boroughs are attributable to socio-economic inequalities;
- health inequalities are growing, both between and within boroughs. Parts of Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark rank amongst the 15% most deprived local authorities in the country;
- rates of smoking and alcohol-related hospital admissions are higher than the national and London averages;
- one in five children live in low-income homes;
- life expectancy improvements have stalled and can vary by up to nine years within a borough between the most and least deprived areas; and
- quality of care is variable and often does not meet the requirements of the most disadvantaged or those with the greatest need, despite examples of world-leading services and research within our area.
South east London has also been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with evidence that the impact has fallen disproportionately on people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
On top of this, the current and future economic climate means that finances are likely to be constrained at the same time as healthcare costs are rising, making value based healthcare a key goal for our system.
Both nationally and regionally there is increased focus on using a population health approach to tackle inequity.
The South East London Coalition for Better Health and Equity is a joint partnership between King’s Health Partners and the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS).
We want south east London to be a place where your postcode, background, income or ethnicity will not be a predictor of your future and your health. Our mission is to bring together a wide range of partners to create a positive step-change to improve health and reduce health inequalities in south east London.
We aim to work in partnership with our communities to reduce health inequalities, ensure long-term improvements in health outcomes, and make population health integral to how the health and care system operates
By listening to our diverse communities, acting on data and insights, sharing best practice and learning, and shifting resources to prevention and early intervention and address the drivers of health inequalities, we will significantly improve the health and wellbeing of all our communities throughout south east London.