Teesside University and NHS partners lead regional drive to tackle health inequalities

Teesside University and University Hospitals Tees recently delivered a major Health Inequalities Conference bringing together frontline healthcare professionals, academics and public health leaders from across the region.

The Health Inequalities Conference is part of a wider programme of collaborative work between Teesside University and NHS partners aimed at improving population health and reducing inequalities through research, education and service transformation.

A central feature of the event was the launch of University Hospitals Tees’ new population health and healthcare inequalities strategy, alongside a series of keynote addresses and interactive sessions exploring how organisations can work together to deliver more equitable health outcomes.

Keynote speakers included Professor Esther Mireku, Consultant in Public Health and Honorary Professor at Teesside University, Dr Lawrence Nnyanzi, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for the Doctorate in Public Health at Teesside University, and Professor Peter Kelly, Regional Director of Public Health for NHS England Northeast and Yorkshire.

A series of workshops showcased innovative approaches to addressing inequalities in areas such as cancer screening, maternity care, outpatient access, health literacy and support for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

These sessions provided practical insights into how targeted, person-centred interventions can improve access to services and health outcomes.

The strong attendance from a wide range of stakeholders including NHS organisations and local authorities reflected the growing urgency and shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges facing local communities.

The conference also highlighted the critical role of academic-healthcare partnerships in translating evidence into practice.

Through its collaboration with NHS partners, Teesside University is supporting the development of a skilled workforce, embedding research into service delivery, and co-producing solutions to some of the most pressing public health challenges.

Dr Ann French, Dean of Teesside University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, welcomed the success of the event and the University’s role in supporting regional priorities.

She said: “This conference is an excellent example of how Teesside University is working in partnership with the NHS to address real-world challenges.

“Our role in supporting workforce development, applied research and knowledge exchange is central to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

“We are proud to contribute to initiatives that deliver tangible benefits for our communities.” Dr Lawrence Nnyanzi said: “Addressing health inequalities requires more than recognising the problem – it requires coordinated, evidence-informed action.

“Through our partnership with NHS colleagues, we are creating opportunities to translate research into practice and to equip the workforce with the skills needed to make a difference within their own services.”

Professor Esther Mireku added: “Improving population health and reducing health inequalities is one of the most significant challenges facing health and care systems today.

“What this conference demonstrates is the power of bringing together expertise from across organisations to share learning and drive collective action.

“The real impact will come from how we translate these conversations into meaningful, sustained change within our services.”

The event also reinforced the importance of aligning local action with national priorities, including the NHS Core20PLUS5 framework, and highlighted the need for continued investment in collaborative approaches that address the wider determinants of health.

The conference concluded with a shared commitment from partners to continue working collaboratively to address the wider determinants of health and ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all communities.

This initiative reflects Teesside University’s ongoing commitment to regional engagement, impact-driven research, and its role as a key partner in supporting the NHS to respond to the health inequalities challenge.

The Health Inequalities Conference was held on 10 July at Middlesbrough Football Club.

---