Evidence-based health creation

Healthier UK collates peer-reviewed evidence, economic return-on-investment (ROI) data, and qualitative case studies demonstrating the efficacy of community health creation, social prescribing, physical activity, and nature-based interventions.

Research consistently demonstrates that every £1 invested in place-based health creation yields substantial long-term returns in avoided healthcare costs, increased economic activity, and enhanced community resilience.

Research evidence and community health impact

Key research themes

1. Economic returns & ROI

Quantifying the avoided healthcare, welfare, and social care costs generated by proactive community health models.

2. Lifestyle medicine & biology

Cellular and clinical evidence on how physical movement, diet, sleep, and social connection reverse chronic disease markers.

3. Nature & green space

Epidemiological research on the mental and physical health benefits of regular access to natural environments and green corridors.

4. Creative health & arts

Evidence on creative arts participation in reducing anxiety, cognitive decline, and isolation across diverse age groups.

5. Social prescribing

Clinical trials and longitudinal evaluations of community link worker programmes across primary care networks.

6. Place-based systems change

Methodologies for evaluating community capacity building and devolved prevention demonstrators in mayoral regions.

Submit Research: If you have published academic research or evaluation reports relevant to UK health creation, please submit them to our editorial review team.

Anyone can join Healthier UK

Community groups, charities, councils, clinicians, researchers, businesses and individuals. If you want to help create the conditions for health where you live, there is a place for you here — and it costs nothing to join.