Equal North:How can we reduce health inequalities in the North of England? Prioritisation exercise with researchers, policymakers and practitioners.

Background: The Equal North network was developed to take forward the implications of the Due North report of the Independent Inquiry into Health Equity. A research prioritisation exercise was conducted across the network. Methods: Qualitative workshops (15 groups) and a Delphi survey (3 rounds, 368 members) were used to consult expert opinion and achieve a consensus. A further 10 workshops were conducted after the Delphi survey to triangulate the data. Results: Round one, 253 participants (n=190 participants from two sets of workshops; n=63 survey responses) answered open questions around priorities for action. In round two of the survey, 144 participants used a 5 point Likert scale to rate 39 items generated via thematic analysis of round one data. Round three: 76 participants (half of the round two participants) re-rated responses alongside median responses to each item. Poverty/implications of austerity (4.87m, IQR 0) remained the priority issue in all rounds, with long-term unemployment (4.8m, IQR 0) and mental health (4.7m, IQR 1) second and third priorities. Conclusions: A strong consensus amongst the practitioners and academics was that reducing health inequalities in the North of England requires prioritising research that tackles structural determinants concerning poverty, the implications of austerity measures and unemployment.