Integrated care systems in England

The significance of collaborative community assets in promoting and sustaining health and wellbeing

Bibliographic Data

ID13076201
AuthorsOwen Corrigan (0000-0002-7301-2200, Anglia Ruskin University, corresponding author), Scott P O Danielsen (0000-0003-3432-5578), Shannon Doherty (0000-0002-6123-1238), Pauline Lane (0000-0003-4245-0504, Anglia Ruskin University)
Year2024
Volume9
Pages1355215-1355215
Publication date2024-08-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2297-7775 • E-ISSN: 2297-7775
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fsoc.2024.1355215
PMID39165862
OpenAlexW4401363722
LanguageEN
References cited34

Until recently the healthcare system in England was based on a commissioning/provider model. However, this has been replaced with an Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) approach, aimed at improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities through local collaborative partnerships with public sector organizations, community groups, social enterprise organizations and other local agencies. Part of this new approach is an emphasis on the role of community assets (i.e., local resources), that are considered integral to promoting positive health and wellbeing outcomes. This paper presents research from a series of three research studies on "community assets" conducted in the East of England within a newly established ICS. Based on analysis of qualitative data highlighting the lived experience of community asset members, this paper shows the positive wellbeing impact on vulnerable community members that assets provide. Further insight on the local impact and the collaborative nature of the research is provided suggesting that new asset-based approaches recognize the social determinants of health. This presents a shift away from positivistic linear approaches to population health and wellbeing to a new non-linear collaborative approach to addressing health inequalities and promoting wellbeing. The authors suggest that exploring this through a complexity theory lens could illuminate this further. Finally, the authors warn that while community assets have an important role to play in empowering citizens and providing much needed support to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, they are not a substitute for functioning funded public sector services that are currently being undermined by ongoing local governments funding cuts. As such, while community assets can help ameliorate some of the negative effects people experience due to economic, structural and health disadvantages, only a more fair and more equal distribution of resources can address growing health inequalities

Economic growth · Economics · Environmental ethics · Political science · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Health disparities and outcomes · Health, psychology, and well-being · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Medicine