The latest MAHSC Seminar Series session examined the ‘Inequalities during COVID-19: focussing on Greater Manchester and the North of England’.

Chaired by Prof. Dame Nicky Cullum, Director of NIHR ARC Greater Manchester (ARC-GM) the session included presentations from Dr Luke Munford, Senior Lecturer of Health Economics at The University of Manchester and ARC-GM Economic Sustainability Theme, and Prof. Caroline Sanders, Professor of Medical Sociology at The University of Manchester and ARC-GM Lead for Public and Community Involvement and Engagement.

Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) is a partnership between The University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of the Northern Care Alliance) and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to unite leading healthcare providers with world-class academics and researchers.

In April 2020, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC), part of Health Innovation Manchester, was officially designated by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NHS England and NHS Improvement up to 2025. The MAHSC Seminar Series showcases the great discovery and clinical science being undertaken within Manchester and its impact on the health of the local population.

The series gives a local platform to the nationally and internationally renowned scientists of MAHSC to share their work with clinical, non-clinical, university colleagues, but also crucially members of the wider community seeking insight into innovations in the delivery of healthcare.

Dr Luke Munford presented on “A year of COVID-19: Regional Inequalities in Health and Economic Outcomes” which was followed by a presentation focussing on “Exploring Inequalities and Community Experiences in the Context of COVID-19 and the Vaccination Programme” by Prof. Caroline Sanders.

Dr Luke Munford, said: “Before we go onto what happened during the pandemic, I think it’s important to set the scene about what we knew was happening before COVID-19. So what was the state of the country in terms of health and wealth inequalities pre-COVID?

“There are some notable exceptions and I think that’s important to stress, there are some areas of good health in the North and there are some poor areas of health in the South. However, on average the North does worse than the South and the rest of England… It’s really uncommon for a developed country, that these inequalities are actually growing particularly from the 2010’s onwards.”

Prof. Caroline Sanders, said: “There are multiple components of the work which is hosted within the Applied Research Collaboration within Greater Manchester, first of all the public involvement work has been absolutely key and that has been dependent on the input of the Public & Community Involvement & Engagement Panel, and a wider community forum, as well as a project specific advisory group.”