|
|
REACH County Durham is a partnership between Durham County Council, Durham University and Durham Community Action. Our aim is to examine ways to tackle the unfair and avoidable differences in health experienced by communities in our area, what we call the “wider determinants of health”. These play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes for County Durham residents. |
|---|
Reach Research and Engagement Leaflet (PDF; 364Kb)
We are currently developing content on the topics listed below and will upload this information soon.
- Partners and Collaborators
- Research and Evidence
- Community Involvement (New)
- Training and Development
- News and Events
Things like income, education, housing, employment, and social support networks all contribute to a person’s ability to maintain good health. Inequalities in these areas can lead to disparities in health, which is why addressing them is so important in public health, research, community interventions and policy efforts.
For example, someone living in a high-income neighbourhood with access to nutritious food, green spaces, and quality healthcare is likely to have better health outcomes than someone facing financial struggles, unstable housing, and limited access to healthcare services. Policies that promote equal opportunities, fair wages, and social inclusion can help mitigate these challenges and improve health for all.
In County Durham a child born in one part of our county could live 8.5 years less than a child born in another neighbourhood (Source: Office for National Statistics). This gap in life expectancy widens further when compared to many other parts of the UK. REACH County Durham exists to turn the tide on this.
If you are interested in finding out more about REACH County Durham, please e-mail: publichealth@durham.gov.uk
Related: Areas of Research Interest (ARI’s)
REACH Project overview
REACH County Durham facilitates research into key health factors—housing, food access, exercise spaces, education, and healthcare—for the council and its partners. We use this evidence to shape policies and practices that genuinely improve health, helping residents live longer, healthier lives.
Research is essential in identifying ways to improve public health and address inequalities. By fostering research collaboration between local government, the VCSE sector, and academic institutions, communities can develop evidence-based solutions to address health inequalities and improve overall wellbeing. We also want to ensure there is the capacity to study these wider factors, providing valuable evidence to support informed decision-making.
Our partnership model ensures that policies and initiatives are informed by real-world data, community experiences, and expert insights. Local communities play a key role in shaping these efforts, and stakeholders—including policymakers, public health professionals, and community groups—help drive meaningful change.
REACH County Durham’s Aims
- To be a partnership which recognises the contribution and value that research can have on improving the wellbeing of people of County Durham
- To assist local government and partner organisations to take advantage of research opportunities which will improve the wellbeing of County Durham residents
- To use research to support partner organisations to make investment decisions based on the best evidence and impact, giving us a better understanding of how to maximise the positive impact or minimise the negative impacts of our actions.
- To use the rich lived experience of County Durham residents’ experiences to understand the factors which contributes to health and wellbeing
REACH County Durham’s Objectives
- Foster a culture of excellence in research
- Enhance communication and dissemination of research findings
- Establish a resilient and sustainable research infrastructure
- Strengthen research knowledge and skills across the council and local communities
- Deepen collaborative partnerships with higher education institutions
- Cultivate engaged, research-active communities
- Facilitate a practice-based network with partner organisations