Two councils have joined together to tackle health inequalities affecting Black African and Caribbean communities.
Birmingham City Council and Lewisham Council have pledged to address decades of inequalities through the launch of a groundbreaking review.
The review will inform the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board partnership and influence the work of both councils.
Research shows that significant health inequalities affecting Black African and Caribbean communities are perpetuated by inequalities in housing, employment and education.
Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan, said: ‘Learning lessons needs to start now. This is not just about the impact Coronavirus is having on BAME communities, but prompted by this current pandemic, we must seize the opportunity to drive an evidence-led approach on addressing health inequalities.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care and chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Birmingham City Council, said: ‘Both Birmingham and Lewisham have high levels of deprivation and poor health that disproportionately affect certain communities.
'It is really important that our public health experts pool their knowledge to address these issues and by working in partnership they should get a broader insight into each community and an opportunity to compare and contrast experiences in two local authority areas.’
