Sussex Population Health Academy: Addressing health inequalities across the system

Summary 

The Sussex Population Health Academy (SPHA) addresses health inequalities by building system-wide capability through health equity fellowships, webinar training, and the development of an online learning hub and community. In its second year, the initiative led by NHS Sussex and delivered by Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS), scaled its reach with the launch of 12 new fellowships and delivered webinars to over 300 attendees.  

Challenge 

Sussex faces significant disparities in access, experience, and outcomes of healthcare across inclusion health groups, including children in care, those with disabilities, and ethnically minoritised communities. Surveys indicated staff had limited knowledge of population health and wanted accessible, actionable training to address these inequalities. 

Approach 

Health Innovation KSS led the academy’s continued programme design, delivery, recruitment, training, evaluation, innovation support, and resource development. We also co-designed core frameworks and facilitated action learning and webinar series. 

Year two highlights: 

• We designed and ran five system-wide webinars covering topics related to population health and tailored to local strategic priorities. Topics included ‘Tools for population health management’ and ‘What is population health and why does it matter?’ 

• We supported twelve fellows to complete projects focussed on health equity within their organisations. 

Example project themes: 

• Improving Breast Screening uptake for ethnic minority groups 

• Improving the experience of Special Care Dentistry for people with Learning Disabilities 

• Improving access to specialist menopause services 

Impact and lessons learned 

NHS Sussex has identified that 75% of deaths and disability across the county are influenced by health inequalities.  

While formal cost analysis of the population health academy is underway, early signs suggest improved staff confidence and capability will yield long-term savings by reducing avoidable demand and supporting preventive models of care. Costs are saved by engaging existing staff and resources rather than outsourcing transformation. 

Feedback from fellows:

“The fellowship has transformed my approach to my work, my ability to see, navigate, and tailor our processes for colleagues and patients with attention to equity and inclusion.”

 

“I would highly recommend the fellowship to anyone. It was a fabulous opportunity to delve into a greater understanding of health inequity and solutions.”

 

“I always cared about this work, but the fellowship has equipped me with the tools, language and visibility in my organisation to lead and make a difference.”

Spread and scalability 

The Population Health Academy has three main components that can each be scaled and adapted to meet the needs of different systems, localities and organisations: 

• Health Equity Fellowship 

• Population Health training via webinars 

• Online hub and community 

Future goals include enhanced evaluation, broader cross-sector engagement, and deepened collaboration with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) groups. There is growing interest in adapting the fellowship model regionally and nationally.