Addressing food system determinants of health inequalities in urban environments: learnings from the FoodSEqual and FoodSEqual-Health projects

Diet is just one social determinant of health, with obesity and diet-related illness as leading causes of premature deaths and disability in the UK. People living in deprived areas of the UK are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, linked to many social determinants of health such as diet, housing, employment, education, power and discrimination and psycho-social factors such as isolation, quality of social network and perceived level of control. While socio-economic deprivation is a key risk for health inequalities, protected characteristics, vulnerable groups and geographical factors also indicate populations at risk of experiencing health inequalities. In this ‘opinion article’ we draw on our experiences in the Food Systems Equality (FoodSEqual) and FoodSEqual-Health research projects to share our methods of engaging residents from a range of population groups in areas of high deprivation in England, who are often under-represented in studies related to diet and health. We consider the contextual factors that shape the lived experience of residents, the contributions they can make when engaged in research and social development, and advocate for their inclusion in developments designed by voluntary sector organizations, local authorities and central government to improve the food systems they access. Finally, we consider the role of local food strategies and policy actions in developing healthy, sustainable and equitable food systems.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transforming terrestrial food systems for human and planetary health’.