Context
It’s important to note that the health and wellbeing impacts of health and social care policies, programmes, projects and services are context-dependent and vary across regions and communities. Factors like the health and social care system, socioeconomic conditions, governance, and community trust and engagement with the health and social care system can influence these outcomes. Additionally, the magnitude and balance of positive and negative impacts can vary across different development projects and policies.
Key Actions
Holistic lifecourse approach
Take a systematic and holistic approach, considering physical, mental, and social dimensions of health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. This involves considering wider social, cultural, economic, commercial and environmental determinants of health and addressing underlying factors that contribute to health inequalities and inequity.Health impact assessment
Incorporate health impact assessments into the planning and evaluation process of health and social care policies, programmes, projects and services. This helps identify potential positive and negative health impacts and informs decision-making.Stakeholder engagement
Involve diverse stakeholders, including communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health and social care initiatives. This ensures that interventions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the population and promotes transparency and accountability.Equity and accessibility
Prioritise equitable access to health and social care services, aiming to reduce health inequalities/disparities and inequities. This can be achieved by targeting resources and interventions towards vulnerable populations and considering social, cultural, environmental and economic factors that may hinder access.Integration and coordination
Promote integration and coordination of health and social care services to ensure seamless and efficient delivery. This includes improving communication and collaboration between commissioners and different healthcare and social service agencies and providers.Continuous quality improvement
Regularly evaluate the impact and effectiveness of health and social care policies, programmes, projects and services, using data and feedback to make informed improvements. This helps identify areas for improvement and areas of good practice that can be shared more widely as well as helping to proactively adapt to changing community needs.Education and awareness
Increase public awareness and education about the importance of health and social care, and the proactive and preventive approaches to improve individual, family and community health and wellbeing.Empower individuals, families and communities
Give a much power back to individuals, families and communities to make fully informed and resourced decisions about their health and encourage active participation in their own care.Ethics and human rights
Ensure that health and social care policies, programmes, projects, and services are guided by ethical principles and respect for human rights. This involves protecting privacy, promoting autonomy, and fostering dignity and respect in all interactions.
Positive Impacts
Improved health outcomes
Health and social care projects, plans, and policies can contribute to better health outcomes by providing access to healthcare services, preventive care, and early intervention programs.
Enhanced quality of life
Effective health and social care initiatives can improve the overall quality of life for individuals, including physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Reduction in health inequalities
Targeted health and social care interventions can help address health inequalities/disparities and promote equity by focusing on vulnerable populations and addressing social determinants of health.
Increased social support
Health and social care initiatives often provide social support networks, which can positively impact mental health, social connections, and overall wellbeing.
Negative Impacts
Resource allocation challenges
Limited resources can result in challenges for health and social care projects, leading to potential gaps in service provision and inequitable access to care.
Inadequate integration and coordination
Poor coordination between different health and social care services can result in fragmented care, leading to suboptimal health outcomes.
Impact on caregivers
Health and social care initiatives can place burdens on caregivers, affecting their own health and wellbeing due to increased responsibilities and stress.
Stigmatisation and discrimination
Certain health and social care projects may inadvertently stigmatize or discriminate against specific individuals or groups, negatively impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Sources of Further Information
Martin S, Longo F, Lomas J and Clayton, K. (2021) ‘Causal impact of social care, public health
and healthcare expenditure on mortality in England: cross-sectional evidence for 2013/2014’, British Medical Journal Open, 11:e046417. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2020-046417
Spending money on healthcare and social care can help save lives. Spending money on social care is more effective than spending money on healthcare. The study suggests that the rate of improvement in life expectancy in England and Wales has slowed since 2010 because not enough money is being spent on healthcare and social care.
Elizabeth H Bradley, E.H., Elkins, B.R., Herrin, J. and Elbe, B. (2011) ‘Health and social services expenditures: associations with health outcomes’, BMJ Quality & Safety, 20, pp. 826-831. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs.2010.048363
Spending money on healthcare and social care can help improve health outcomes. Spending money on social care is more effective than spending money on healthcare. Focusing on broader social policy may be helpful in accomplishing improvements in population health.