About us

HDRC Gateshead is a partnership between Gateshead Council and Newcastle University (opens new window). Our aim is to tackle the unfair and avoidable differences in health experienced by communities in our borough - known as health inequalities. Right here in Gateshead, a child born in one part of the borough could live 10 years less than a child born in another neighbourhood. This gap in life expectancy widens further when compared to many other parts of the UK.  

HDRC Gateshead exists to turn the tide on this. Our partnership has been set up to enable the council to conduct and use research into the factors that influence people's health - things like housing, access to fresh food, safe parks for exercise, education and nearby healthcare facilities. We'll use the evidence we gather to inform our decision-making. By rooting our policies and practice in what genuinely works in improving health, we'll be better able to support our residents to live their lives in good health and for longer.  

As we do this, our primary focus is engaging with local people and organisations to deliver research on the issues that matter most to you. This is how we'll make the biggest difference. 
 
This step change is being made possible thanks to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (opens new window), who awarded us funding to establish HDRC Gateshead. We are one of 30 local authorities across the UK who have been awarded a share of £150 million to establish HDRCs to boost our ability to undertake health inequalities research.