Almost £5m secured to tackle health inequality

The five-year health research project will work with communities across north and west Cumbria

Almost £5m has been secured to help tackle health inequality in parts of Cumbria.

Cumberland Council said it aimed to create a centre of excellence in researching issues affecting people in the north and west of the county.

The five-year project, working with the University of Cumbria, has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The money will go towards a research team which will work with some of the area's most deprived communities.

'Real-world research'

The £4.8m Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) is part of the Labour-led council but will also work with the voluntary sector.

It is part of a wider UK network of research teams involving local authorities to tackle health inequalities through research.

Work has started to recruit people to work on the project.

Deputy council leader Lisa Brown said: "As a new council we have put tackling health inequalities central to what we do and we now have a real opportunity working with our partners to think differently and help shape our communities for the better."

Professor Brian Webster-Henderson, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Cumbria, added it would allow academics, researchers and council teams to build upon and expand their expertise.

He added: "Through the real-world research they will do in and for our communities, together we will gain a much better understanding of the health issues across the area - important research which will shape and improve lives for generations to come.”