£100k funding made avail to address health inequalities in Bucks

Charities and community groups across Buckinghamshire can now apply for grant funding for projects that address health inequalities that impact the life expectancy and quality of life for people from ethnic minority groups across the county. 

Health inequalities can involve differences such as prevalence of health conditions, access to care, and behavioural risks to health. Some of the ways in which these inequalities can impact on health are evident from national data published by the NHS Race and Health Observatory, including:

• In the UK, Black women are four times more likely than white women to die in pregnancy or childbirth
• In the UK, African-Caribbean men are up to three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men of the same age
• In the UK, Black and Ethnic Minority groups have up to 2x the mortality risk from Covid-19 compared to people from a White British background

Councillor Angela Macpherson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

"Covid-19 has widened health inequalities in England by disproportionately affecting those already experiencing health inequalities, especially some people from ethnic minority groups. With this Fund we are aiming to enable not-for–profit groups to deliver projects that directly and specifically address one or more aspects of health inequalities that impact on the life expectancy and quality of life for some people from ethnic minority groups across our county.”

Grants of up to £15,000 are also available for projects that address inequalities in physical and/or mental health for any age group. Examples include improving advice and guidance, education and awareness raising, and advocacy support. Projects must be designed and delivered primarily for ethnic minority groups.

Henry Allmand, CEO at Heart of Bucks said:

“We are delighted to be launching a fund dedicated to targeting ethnic health inequalities in Buckinghamshire in partnership with the council. Heart of Bucks is committed to combating inequalities within our county and the Health Equity Fund will enable us to provide essential funding for community organisations addressing preventable differences in health among local ethnic minority groups.”

For more information on the Health Equity Fund, please click here: heartofbucks.org/health-equity-fund-addressing-ethnic-health-inequalities