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#2035

A baby born in the North borough of Westminster has an average life expectancy of 76 years whilst a baby born in Knightsbridge and Belgravia has a life expectancy of 94. That is a life expectancy of 18 years, the highest life expectancy gap for males in the country.

Speaking to our community members and local residents, they have informed us that their health and well-being are connected to wider social determinants such as housing, neighbourhoods, access to health services, jobs, crime, community connections and experience of discrimination.

Our vision is to reduce health inequalities in Westminster. We will do this by considering how we change our approach towards working with our communities through:

  • listening to our resident experiences
  • connecting across organisations
  • amplifying existing good practice
  • accelerating our collective action to deliver change

Speaker series

This series is a chance to hear leading experts in their field share how their work has addressed health inequalities. They will also show how their work has positively impacted and transformed communities. We are running this series to share learning and best practice, so that we can reduce inequalities in Westminster. This series is funded by Health Education England.

The speaker series aims to:

  • share community-led initiatives with the focus on tackling health inequalities
  • share success stories and best practices in reducing health inequalities
  • explore and share evidence-based interventions that have been proven successful
  • promote the importance of community involvement and empowerment

Upcoming talks

Changing Futures is a three year programme funded as a joint initiative by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and The National Lottery Community Fund. It is an ambitious system-change programme, that aims to improve the lives of people experiencing multiple disadvantage, those who experience a ‘revolving door’, who frequently cycle through the system and services, but don’t get the support they need.

Westminster, the only London Borough in the programme, is one of 15 local partnerships across England.

The programme is for local organisations to work in partnership to better support those who experience multiple disadvantages, including:

  • homelessness
  • substance misuse
  • mental health issues
  • domestic abuse
  • contact with the criminal justice system

Those who are interested in knowing more can click this link: Changing Futures | Westminster City Council

Emily Nicholas Angl, an independent consultant and researcher, with a focus on patient and public engagement. Her interest in this field grew from her personal experiences as a patient, leading her to question the role of patient involvement in healthcare and research. 

With 15 years of experience collaborating with hospitals, government bodies, and research entities across Canada, Emily transitioned from a proactive patient partner to a critical thinker in the engagement of individuals with firsthand experience. 

Her career spans roles as a research associate in labs and Family Health Teams, and as a freelancer in user-centered design and health communication. She has served in advisory capacities for Ontario Health Quality, CMAJ's Patient Oriented Research, WIHV at Women’s College Hospital, and UHN's Social Medicine Program. 

Currently, she co-produces the podcast Matters of Engagement with Jennifer Johannesen, examining patient engagement critically, and plays a key role at Evans Health Lab, dedicated to producing clear, educational, and innovative health content.

Past talks

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A headshot of Dominique Allwood on a blue graphic that says her name and job title.

The role of anchor institutions

  • Wednesday 10 January 2024, from 1pm to 2pm, online

Dominique Allwood is an experienced medical leader with expertise in clinical leadership, population health, quality improvement and change management. She has worked in healthcare for almost 20 years and currently holds several roles including Chief Medical Officer at UCL Partners and Director of Population Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Attendees will get to explore various community led approaches to tackling health inequalities.  

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A headshot of Natalie Creary on a blue graphic that says her name and 'founder, liberating knowledge'

How coproduction can support your antiracism efforts

  • Wednesday 24 January 2024, 1pm to 2pm, online

Natalie Creary, founder of Liberating Knowledge and former Programme Director at Black Thrive Lambeth, is a visionary committed to dismantling the deep-seated roots of inequities and fearlessly challenging the status quo. 

Attendees will gain insights on improving access to services for global majority communities, reducing health inequalities, and co-producing with communities.

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A headshot of Dr Khadija Owusu on a blue graphic that says her name and 'founder, AKAYA'

The role of representation in reducing health inequalities

  • Wednesday 31 January 2024, 1pm to 2pm, online

Dr Khadija Owusu is an award-winning leader, speaker and junior doctor. She is the founder of AKAYA, Director of Programmes at Melanin Medics, Ambassador at GUBA-Enterprise and Trustee for the charity Raising Futures Kenya.

In this event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about what we can do to improve access and equity within the medical field.

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A headshot of Bram-Peter Wispwelwy on a blue graphic that says his name and job title.

Towards reparative and race-conscious approaches

  • Tuesday 6 February 2024, midday to 1pm, online

Bram Wispelwey is an Associate Physician in the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and in the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

Bram will discuss why we need to work differently to address inequities faced by refugees and the power inequalities of racial dynamics within a health setting.

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A headshot of Pedro Delgado on a blue graphic banner with his name and job title in text

Continuously improving for and with the population: global reflections

  • Thursday 22 February 2024, 1pm to 2pm, online

Pedro Delgado leads Institute for Healthcare Improvement's portfolio of work in Europe and IHI’s equity work outside of the US. Based in the UK, he has been a driving force in IHI’s global expansion. 

Attendees will hear about global approaches to creating change in all fields, especially within health and social care.

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A picture of Clo and Tinuke on a blue graphic banner with their name in text.

Five x More

  • Wednesday 28 February 2024, 1pm to 2pm, online

Clo and Tinuke started Five X More in 2019 as a response to the statistics and negative news surrounding Black women and maternal health. They initially started with the #fivexmoreselfie and recommended steps to try and raise awareness of the statistics but also to offer a solution instead of just bad news all the time.

During this event, there will be a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of black mothers including maternity care, and care of newborns.

Tackling health inequalities in Manchester, 2022 to 2027

  • Wednesday 6 March 2024, 1pm to 2pm, online

Amanda Dixon has worked at Manchester City Council for 14 years, with the last seven years spent working in Public Health. The team works together to maintain close relationships with the Department of Public Health, and within the council with their Performance, Research and Intelligence team colleagues.

Recently, Amanda led on a project around the council's Public Health response to licensing applications, which will help bring together data and insight to help identify and respond more effectively to licensing applications in areas of the city.