Study finds resilient communities enjoy better health despite deprivation

New research conducted by The University of Manchester has shed light on the important role of community resilience in promoting better health outcomes, even in the face of significant deprivation. The study introduced a new Community Resilience Index that focuses on the strengths of a community, such as local infrastructure, social connections, opportunities, and stability, rather than just traditional deprivation scores.

The researchers analyzed data from 307 local authorities across England, examining five key health measures including deaths of despair (alcohol-specific deaths, drug-related deaths, and suicide), cardiovascular disease, COVID-19 mortality, excess deaths during the pandemic, and self-rated general health. Their findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, revealed that areas with higher resilience scores experienced lower rates of deaths of despair, lower cardiovascular disease mortality, and more residents reporting good health. These patterns persisted even after accounting for deprivation, indicating that resilience plays a crucial role in maintaining community health.

One of the most significant findings of the study was the interaction between resilience and deprivation. In the poorest areas, communities with higher resilience scores showed lower rates of deaths of despair compared to equally deprived areas lacking similar local strengths. Lead researcher Christine Camacho emphasized that while deprivation remains a major factor influencing health, resilience can make a significant difference in health outcomes by providing essential social support and infrastructure.

Interestingly, the study found that the resilience index did not predict COVID-19 mortality or pandemic-related excess deaths. The researchers suggested that certain aspects of resilience, such as strong social connectedness and mobility, may increase exposure risk during infectious disease outbreaks.

The research team believes that their findings could inform future public health policies by complementing traditional deprivation indices with resilience-based measures. By identifying communities with strong social infrastructure and support systems, policymakers can target investments in social infrastructure, voluntary sector capacity, community spaces, and local connectivity to promote community well-being.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of community resilience in maintaining and improving health outcomes, especially in deprived areas. By recognizing and building upon the strengths of local communities, policymakers can work towards creating healthier and more resilient societies.

For more information, you can refer to the study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (DOI: 10.1136/jech-2025-224513) by Christine Camacho et al. This research was conducted at the University of Manchester.