While many community leaders and public health experts have long argued for the positive impact of these vital organisations, this large-scale, rigorous, and theory-based evaluation clearly shows community is key in tackling health inequalities.
Newly published evidence shows the clear impact that community-led health organisations have on the health and wellbeing of their communities.
While many community leaders and public health experts have long argued for the positive impact of these vital organisations, this large-scale, rigorous, and theory-based evaluation clearly shows community is key in tackling health inequalities.
Developed as part of the CommonHealth Assets research project, the case studies show improved outcomes across all measures of health and wellbeing for people involved with community-led organisations.
This work has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and led by Glasgow Caledonian University, with contributions from a range of partner organisations including CHEX and SCDC.
The profiled organisations include Annexe Communities in Glasgow, Getting Better Together in Shotts, and Healthy n Happy and Healthy Valleys, both in South Lanarkshire.
These case studies show that the creative and varied activities these organisations deliver lead to improvements across a range of outcomes, with arts and crafts improving mental wellbeing and educational activity driving positive health outcomes.