What local economic strategies are most effective for improving health and reducing health inequalities?

The UK experiences some of the largest regional differences in health of any country in Europe, with people living in poorer areas dying on average 9 years younger and living for 19 more years in poor health than more affluent areas. These health differences reflect the economic differences between places. Although there have been multiple attempts by government over decades to address these inequalities – they have met with limited success. The relationship between health and wealth is circular – economic decline lead to poor health and poorer health contributes to lower economic productivity.
Many regions and local authorities across the UK are developing new economic strategies. These provide a major opportunity to ensure that health is central to local economic planning, maximising the health benefits. We do not know, however, what impact these different approaches to economic development are having on health, a research gap that this PhD will address.
This PhD will investigate how approaches to economic strategy vary between places in the North of England and estimate the impact on health and health inequalities of these different approaches. It is envisaged that the PhD will review economic policies from a selection of regions / local authorities, contribute to developing innovative metrics tracking investment, socioeconomic trends and health outcomes as part of our Open Data platform ( https://pldr.org) and identify ‘natural experiments’, applying advanced statistical methods to investigate the impact of economic policies on health inequalities and the determinants of health inequalities.
The PhD will be based with a team internationally recognised for its health inequalities research, involve work as part of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on Determinants of Health Equity and involve placements with local governments across the North West.

Candidates should have a 2.1 or 1st class degree in a relevant discipline – e.g. geography, economics, social science, data science, epidemiology, computer science, population health. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, as would clear evidence of an interest in developing quantitative methods in the study of health inequalities. The student will benefit from research training in policy analysis and advanced econometric and statistical methods, data management and the use of statistical software. They will develop skills in policy-relevant research on health inequalities and establish a body of high impact research and publications.

Applications are invited from individuals with a strong academic record who wish to develop a career in public health research.

Application is by CV and covering letter. The covering letter must detail your interest in the studentship, related experience and training and suitability for the position. Applications are to be sent to Professor Ben Barr, [Email Address Removed].