Research from The University of Manchester has revealed a significant link between community resilience and health outcomes. Areas demonstrating higher levels of community resilience report better health metrics, including lower rates of drug and alcohol-related deaths as well as suicide, even in the face of substantial deprivation. This study introduces a new measure, the “Community Resilience Index,” which assesses how well communities can endure long-term challenges such as economic difficulties, inadequate housing, and social inequality.
Understanding Community Resilience
Unlike conventional measurements that focus on deprivation, the Community Resilience Index emphasizes the strengths inherent in local communities. It considers factors such as infrastructure, social connections, available opportunities, and overall stability. The research team analyzed data from 307 local authorities across England, focusing on five specific health outcomes: deaths of despair, cardiovascular disease mortality, COVID-19 mortality, excess deaths during the pandemic, and individuals’ self-rated general health.
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, the study found that communities with higher resilience scores exhibited lower rates of deaths associated with despair, reduced cardiovascular disease mortality, and a greater number of residents reporting good health. Notably, these patterns persisted even when controlling for deprivation, indicating that resilience provides valuable insights into the health disparities observed among different communities.
The Interaction of Resilience and Deprivation
One of the most remarkable findings of the research is the interaction between resilience and deprivation. In the poorest areas, the impact of resilience became particularly pronounced. For instance, communities characterized by higher resilience reported significantly lower rates of deaths of despair when compared to equally deprived areas lacking such strengths.
Interestingly, the Community Resilience Index did not correlate with COVID-19 mortality rates or pandemic-related excess deaths. The researchers suggest that certain aspects of resilience, such as robust transport links, mobility, and strong social ties, may inadvertently heighten exposure risks during rapid infectious disease outbreaks.
The implications of this research could play a pivotal role in shaping future public health policies. While traditional measures of deprivation, such as the Index of Multiple Deprivation, will continue to be essential, integrating resilience-based assessments could enable councils and national organizations to better identify communities in need of support. This approach shifts the focus from merely what communities lack to what they can build upon to enhance their overall health and well-being.
Ultimately, the research team advocates for the use of the Community Resilience Index in conjunction with existing deprivation indices. This dual approach is expected to guide investments in social infrastructure, bolster the capacity of the voluntary sector, and enhance local connectivity, all of which are crucial for fostering healthier communities.
