Health inequalities remain a persistent challenge for Black communities across London. Black Caribbean and African populations are disproportionately impacted by conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, with poorer outcomes and lower levels of healthcare access compared to other ethnic groups. These challenges became glaringly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing deep-rooted disparities and reinforcing the urgent need for targeted interventions.

These stark realities have motivated the development of the London Inspire Programme. This community-driven initiative is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Black Londoners by addressing the root causes of health inequalities. It is co-chaired by Juliet Amoa, Associate Director – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Community Health and Engagement for the London Borough of Lambeth and Cedi Frederick, Chair, NHS Kent and Medway.

Funded by NHS England and supported by the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), the London Inspire Programme is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Black communities across all 32 London boroughs. It achieves this by promoting health interventions tailored to the specific needs of Black Londoners to improve access to healthcare services and build trust between healthcare providers and local communities. The programme takes a holistic and community-driven approach to health equity.

One of its key strengths is its collaborative approach. The London Inspire Programme works with integrated care systems, primary and acute care trusts, local authorities and the voluntary sector. It creates partnerships that drive tangible improvements in health outcomes and emphasises the importance of community engagement, ensuring that Black voices are heard, and that the community plays an active role in shaping solutions to the challenges they face.

My role in steering positive change

As a steering group member and a Core20PLUS ambassador for NHS England, I have been involved in the development and implementation of several key initiatives in the programme. In October 2023, I helped create the ‘Black Health Matters’ social media campaign during Black History Month, which aimed to raise awareness of common health conditions that disproportionately affect the Afro-Caribbean population and empower individuals to take active steps to improve their health. The campaign was well-received and is currently being run again as part of 2024 Black History Month to continue amplifying its important message.

In March 2024, I also had the privilege of chairing the working group for the inaugural Black Health Inequalities Summit, a landmark event, which attracted over 480 healthcare leaders and other stakeholders across London. The summit provided a platform to discuss the systemic issues contributing to health disparities and explore community-led approaches to driving sustained health improvement trajectories. It received overwhelming support – 98% of attendees gave positive feedback, and 95% expressed a renewed commitment to tackling health inequalities. This event marked a significant milestone in our collective efforts to improve health outcomes for Black Londoners and create inclusive leadership across the healthcare system.

Achievements and priorities for the future

In its first year, the London Inspire Programme has laid a strong foundation for future work. We have held community engagement events, offered free health screenings, participated in public health awareness campaigns and launched a comprehensive website providing valuable resources for Black Londoners. These activities have been designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health and access the care they deserve.

The programme is much more than a short-term initiative. It represents a bold, strategic response to tackling the health inequalities that have long affected Black communities in London and demonstrates the importance of holistic, community-driven targeted health interventions in creating long-term, sustainable improvements in health equity.

As we move into year 2 of the programme, one priority is to continue our efforts to promote vaccination uptake among Black Caribbean and Black African communities throughout the month of November and beyond, and we are already planning the second annual Black Health Inequalities Summit for 2025. This will be another key opportunity to reflect on the successes and progress made since the inaugural event, share insights, further galvanise efforts and reinforce our commitment to creating a healthcare system that serves all communities equitably.

The programme plans to expand on its initiatives to enhance community health literacy through webinars and events that provide critical health information and screenings. We are also committed to strengthening our partnerships with local authorities, NHS bodies and Black-led organisations to drive innovation and best practices that are culturally competent and focused on effectively closing the health gap in Black communities.

If you would like to learn more about the London Inspire Programme or get involved in our initiatives, please email hello@inspireblackhealth.london.