Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities partners across government, healthcare and communities to prevent ill health and tackle the most significant health inequalities.
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About

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will work across the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the rest of government, the healthcare system, local government and industry to be creative about how we shift our focus towards preventing ill health, in particular in the places and communities where there are the most significant disparities.

As part of DHSC, OHID brings together expert advice, analysis and evidence with policy development and implementation to shape and drive health improvement and equalities priorities for government.

Priorities

OHID will:

  • identify and address health disparities, focusing on those groups and areas where health inequalities have greatest effect
  • take action on the biggest preventable risk factors for ill health and premature death including tobacco, obesity and harmful use of alcohol and drugs
  • work with the NHS and local government to improve access to the services which detect and act on health risks and conditions, as early as possible
  • develop strong partnerships across government, communities, industry and employers, to act on the wider factors that contribute to people’s health, such as work, housing and education
  • drive innovation in health improvement, harnessing the best of technology, analytics, and innovations in policy and delivery, to help deliver change where it is needed most

Responsibilities

National health improvement, prevention of poor health, and tackling health disparities

OHID is responsible for:

  • building the scientific evidence, leading and developing the policy, and delivering core services around:
    • healthy weight, healthy diet and physical activity
    • improving the health of children and families
    • smoking, addiction and the health of vulnerable groups
  • leading the policy development and supporting the effective delivery of prevention services, helping individuals to better understand and manage their health
  • building the scientific evidence on public mental health

Through a Work and Health joint unit with the Department for Work and Pensions, OHID leads on driving improvements in health and work outcomes.

Contact

Ministerial Correspondence and Public Enquiries Unit
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
United Kingdom