A study conducted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in partnership with Sláintecare Healthy Communities in Dublin City Council has outlined 15 recommendations to reduce inequalities in healthcare among local communities in Dublin city.

The report on ‘Community Perspectives on Health Needs and Assets in Sláintecare Healthy Community Programme Areas in Dublin – The FEABHAS project’ was launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan to mark the the start of Dublin City’s Inclusion and Integration Week.

The study, led by researchers from RCSI School of Population Health, underscores the necessity of placing community voices at the heart of decision-making, moving from top-down solutions to co-creating solutions with the communities most affected by health inequalities.

This report represents a crucial step towards enhanced and targeted social inclusion and community empowerment in Dublin’s disadvantaged areas. The findings highlight meaningful and structured engagement processes in communities in Dublin to make health more equitable and inclusive for residents of those areas.

Community voices

First author on the report was RCSI doctoral researcher, Eunice Philip and the research was led by Professor Debbi Stanistreet, Associate Professor and Head of Public Health and Epidemiology at RCSI’s School of Population Health, who said: “I hope that this report provides a useful step in recognising the wealth of knowledge the community brings to addressing health inequalities and the value of actively engaging them to co-create sustainable solutions to address health inequalities.

“I’m pleased to present our report findings, which we collated through engagement with the local communities. Their lived experience forms the basis of this report and is reflected in our actionable recommendations, at both local and national levels. I hope that our findings will provide a vehicle for community voices to be heard, so that actions can be taken across all sectors to address the growing inequalities we are experiencing in Ireland, and to ensure every member of society has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and healthy life.”

National-level recommendations from the report include:

• Declaring a national health inequalities emergency with dedicated task forces to tackle community-specific health issues.
• Creating tailored community engagement plans across SHCP areas to promote effective collaboration and capacity-building.
• Improving access to primary care services by reducing waiting times and travel distances, and ensuring funding prioritises disadvantaged areas.
• Investing in early childhood and youth services to support vulnerable families, reduce waiting lists, and expedite referrals for children with special needs.

Local-level recommendations highlight:

• Strengthening mental health and addiction services through expanded support, trauma-informed training, and local peer support workers.
• Increasing investment in youth services and education on mental health and addiction, with schools adopting a ‘whole child approach’.
• Enhancing community safety by improving policies for high-risk households and fostering collaboration with Gardaí.
• Boosting affordable childcare access to help parents re-enter work or education, and exploring derelict buildings for community spaces.

Agents of change

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme (SHCP) is a cross-government initiative that aims to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of the most disadvantaged communities in Ireland. The report was collated through engaging with communities in Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard, Priorswood/Kilmore West and Finglas/Cabra.

Dublin City’s Inclusion and Integration Week’s programme includes a series of events, workshops and talks to promote equity and encourage attendees to become agents of change in their communities.

You can read the full report here.