Addressing Health Inequities in the City of Bologna: A Mixed-Method, Multi Stakeholder and Action-Research Approach Towards Health Equity

Abstract

This chapter analyses the experience of a multidisciplinary, multiprofessional and interinstitutional research group that carried out an action-research project on health inequities in the city of Bologna, with an approach strongly oriented to making an impact in terms of health policies and outcomes, towards health equity. The group met regularly from February 2017 to October 2019 to design and implement a project in two phases: a first one based on a quantitative analysis of health inequalities, and a second one focused on qualitative research in selected areas of the city. An action-research approach was embedded throughout the project, with periodic evaluations to ensure progress towards the intended results. Although the action-research is still underway, interim results can be documented in terms of activation of local decision-makers and support to the second phase, a step towards a local and tailored approach to tackle health inequities. Our experience shows that addressing the issue of urban health inequities through a mixed method, multi stakeholder and action-research approach may lead to greater integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice, towards health equity.