The role of health protection teams in reducing health inequities: findings from a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Health Protection Teams (HPTs) provide specialist public health advice and operational support to NHS, local authorities and other agencies in England. The development of a three-year UKHSA Health Equity strategy creates a unique opportunity for HPTs to reduce health inequities within their work. Aims This study aimed to understand current health equity activities and structures within HPTs, and to propose future HPT-led health equity activities. Methods Between November 2021 - March 2022, HPT staff from the nine UKHSA regions were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview or focus group. Results Twenty-seven participants covering all nine UKHSA regions took part in a total of 18 interviews and two focus groups. There was enthusiasm to address health inequity, and many reported this as their motivation for working in public health. All HPTs routinely engaged in health equity work including, variously: liaising with other organisations; advocacy in case and outbreak management meetings; developing regional HPT health equity action plans; and targeting under-served populations in day-to-day work. HPT staff discussed the challenge of splitting their time between reacting to health protection incidents (e.g., COVID as the main priority at the time) and pro-active work (e.g., programmes to reduce risk from external hazards for vulnerable populations). Although COVID had raised awareness of health inequities, knowledge of health equity among the professionally diverse workforce appeared variable. Limited evidence about effective interventions, and lack of clarity about future ways of working with other organisations were also shared as barriers to tackling health inequities. Conclusion HPTs welcomed the development of UKHSA’s health equity strategy, and through this study identified opportunities where HPTs can influence, support and lead on tackling health inequities. This includes embedding health equity into HPTs’ acute response activities, stakeholder working, and staff management. This study also identified a need for health equity training for HPTs to improve knowledge and skills, utilising evidence-based approaches to health equity. Finally, we have identified areas where HPTs can lead, for example using brief advice interventions and through developing resources, such as standard operating procedures that focus on vulnerable populations. These findings will support a more integrated approach to addressing health equity through health protection work.

Seguridad y salud en el trabajo en la industria de la construcción: importancia de la prevención y la concientización

“…Como todas las industrias a nivel mundial necesitan de la mano de obra, la humanidad es beneficiada gracias a estas, pero, asimismo, estas personas se encuentran en situaciones graves (Ehab, 2023), los empleados que realizan a diario su labor, están expuestas constantemente a incidentes, accidentes y muchos riesgos laborales ya sean físicos, químicos, biológicos, mecánicos, ergonómicos, psicosociales y ambientales, siendo muy peligrosos para todo el personal que realiza su trabajo diariamente, y en el peor de los casos pueden sufrir la muerte a causa del peligro que se exponen en su jornada laboral (Allison et al, 2023).…”