Do area-based interventions to reduce health inequalities work? A systematic review of evidence

Abstract

Reducing health inequalities by focusing health promotion efforts on specific areas rather than individuals is based on the premise that changing something about a place may improve health outcomes for people living in that place. This paper examines the evidence base regarding the efficacy of area-based interventions by reviewing evaluations of interventions aimed at reducing inequities between groups and which are based on changing a specific place. Only 24 papers met our review criteria. The overall success of area-based interventions was difficult to gauge due to the use of multiple strategies, inadequate evaluation reports, variation in the size or type of area, insufficient funding for..