Addressing health inequalities through engagement with people and communities: A self-assessment and improvement framework for integrated care systems (February 2025)

Summary

Integrated care systems (ICSs) have a key role in tackling health inequalities—this goal is set out as one of the four core principles of ICSs, alongside improving population health, enhancing value for money and making a wider social and economic contribution to society. Tackling health inequalities and their causes are at the centre of ICS strategies and joint forward plans, but system leaders need support to do this. This framework was developed by the Care Quality Commission's (CQC's) partnership with National Voices and the Point of Care Foundation and aims to support a whole-system approach to embedding meaningful engagement and reducing health inequalities. It helps ICSs identify marginalised groups and assess their current engagement strategies. Where gaps are identified, the framework encourages collaboration with external networks that have stronger ties to these communities, all aimed at tackling health inequalities.