BHF Policy

↪️ The Core20PLUS5 Programme, which includes hypertension as a clinical priority, is a key tool for supporting NHS services to tackle health inequalities.

But, local initiatives must be backed by long-term funding cycles if they are to have maximum, positive impact ❤️

ICYMI📢 @nationalvoices.bsky.social's new report explores the experiences of Core20PLUS Connectors.

It shows that local leaders – ‘Connectors’ – can have positive impacts on health inequalities in their communities, but their ability to do so heavily depends on the duration of available funding.

🚨The Tobacco & Vapes Bill still has no debate date in the House of Lords - and that’s a problem.
Before recess, the Smokefree Action Coalition called on the Health Secretary to bring this vital legislation forward.
Each day this week, we’ll highlight five key reasons why action is urgently needed.👇

To achieve a smokefree future, the Govt must maintain current spending on these services and sustain investment over the long-term.

We're also calling on Govt to progress the Tobacco & Vapes Bill which is still awaiting its next stage in the House of Lords 🏦

🆕 data from NHS England shows that more people are using stop smoking services, with around 238,100 quit attempts in 2024/25 - a 23% rise from the previous year.

With smoking responsible for at least 15,000 cardiovascular deaths in the UK each year, this progress is vital and must not stall 🚭

Tackling Inequity Strategy Our Tackling Inequity Strategy sets out our vision and plans to tackle unfairness in diabetes care, and to ensure everyone — no matter their background, identity or circumstances — can access the trea...

ICYMI @diabetesuk.bsky.social has launched a new strategy to help tackle health inequalities 📑

People living with diabetes and CVD can face similar barriers to equitable care ❤️‍🩹

We welcome this commitment to ensuring everyone can access the care they need ❤️

www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/our...

Bridging Hearts: Addressing inequalities in cardiovascular health and care report BHF’s Health Insights and Policy and Public Affairs teams have published a report which considers how level of deprivation, sex and ethnicity can impact a person’s cardiovascular health.

↪️Our own analysis shows these groups are also more likely to experience negative events relating to treatment for CVD, including:

💔Experiences of discrimination
⚕️Increased rates of emergency admissions
❤️‍🩹Increased risk of mortality following surgery

www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/o...

↪️The data shows certain groups, such as those living in more deprived areas, or those belonging to an ethnic minority, are more likely to experience longer waits for elective care 💔

More here @nationalvoices.bsky.social 👇

www.nationalvoices.org.uk/newsitem/new...

NHS England » NHS publishes waiting list breakdowns to tackle health inequalities NHS England » NHS publishes waiting list breakdowns to tackle health inequalities

ICYMI 🚨 Earlier this month, @nhsengland.bsky.social published waiting list data with ethnicity and deprivation breakdowns to help highlight inequalities in access to care across the country 🧵👇

england.nhs.uk/2025/07/nhs-...

Two cheers for the 10-Year Health Plan's CVD ambitions Preventing cardiovascular disease offers a major opportunity to improve health, reduce inequalities and strengthen the economy, but stronger action is needed

Read about the barriers and proposed solutions at the link above, or read a summary from @lucatiratelli.bsky.social and @chrisbnaylor.bsky.social in the HSJ here 🔗

www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...

We know that proactive identification, monitoring and treatment of high-risk individuals can prevent acute cardiac events, such as heart attacks and stroke.

However, some areas lack a coordinated approach to CVD prevention.

How Integrated Care Systems Can Prevent Cardiovascular Disease | The King's Fund Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for up to 25% of premature deaths in the UK, 80% of which are preventable. We explore the role integrated care systems could play in scaling up the preventi...

Last week, @thekingsfund.bsky.social published a report, funded by us, exploring how integrated care systems can tackle CVD by prioritising prevention🫀

www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...

🧵

In some areas of the UK, the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator is over 10 minutes away. Each minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by up to 10%.
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↪️ At BHF we are calling on Govt to introduce a new Clean Air Act and Clean Air Strategy for England, with stricter targets on air pollution.

This is key to creating a healthier population, reducing rates of CVD and tackling health inequalities 🔑

↪️ BHF supports Health Equals' campaign to ensure everyone has clean air to breathe, regardless of where they live.

Not only is air pollution harmful to heart health, but it also perpetuates health inequalities ❤️‍🩹

Health Equals' campaign illustrates how the effects of air pollution aren't felt equally, with certain groups exposed to higher levels of air pollution.

↪️ Read the report here ➡️ www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/...

↪️ We know that inequalities in access to a healthy diet is a key contributor to inequalities in CVD in the UK, and we’re calling on Govt to implement a comprehensive set of measures to improve everyone’s access to a healthy diet – regardless of where they live ❤️

New report by @thenhsa.bsky.social & @healthequitynorth.bsky.social shows Northern regions of England have:
- poorer diet quality than the rest of England, and higher rates of obesity, other diet-related disease, and all-cause mortality 💔
- the highest rate of cardiovascular mortality in England 📊

⏳Today Parliament rises for summer recess, yet there is still no date for the Tobacco & Vapes Bill to be considered at committee stage in the House of Lords.
📆It has been 90 days since peers first debated this vital legislation. In that time:

Deprivation shortens life expectancy of heart failure patients Heart failure patients living in the most deprived postcodes are at risk of dying more than six months earlier than patients in the least deprived areas, according to a study by Leeds researchers.

🆕research funded by @thebhf.bsky.social has found heart failure patients living in more deprived areas are at risk of dying earlier than patients in less deprived areas, and that this disparity may be increasing over time 💔

Find out more 👇
www.leeds.ac.uk/main-index/n...

High-quality information can help patients & their loved ones understand their diagnosis better and build their confidence to manage their condition, so this service could make all the difference.

We look forward to these referrals happening as a matter of course 👏

There is a wealth of resources out there, including on @thebhf.bsky.social website. But not everyone has the time, ability or understanding of where to look, particularly at what may be a difficult or emotional time. www.bhf.org.uk/informations...

Last week, Govt announced Diagnosis Connect which will see patients who are diagnosed with long-term health conditions referred to trusted charities for extra support & advice. Due to launch next year, this is a positive step in supporting heart patients get the care they need.

How Integrated Care Systems Can Prevent Cardiovascular Disease | The King's Fund Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for up to 25% of premature deaths in the UK, 80% of which are preventable. We explore the role integrated care systems could play in scaling up the preventi...

Read more here 👉 www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...

↪️ CVD is responsible for around a quarter of all premature deaths in England and is a leading cause of health inequalities. National focus must shift to preventing CVD, rather than just treating it.

ICYMI, BHF has helped fund new research by
@thekingsfund.bsky.social that explores how Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) can tackle cardiovascular disease (CVD). This illustrates the need to prevent CVD and how ICSs can play a pivotal role in supporting this ⬇️

Civil Society Covenant

↪️Find out more 👉
www.gov.uk/government/p... ❤️
#CivilSocietyCovenant

↪️It sets out four core principles:

🏆Recognition & value
👥Partnership & collaboration
🤝Participation & inclusion
📈Transparency & data

It’s a real opportunity to tackle today’s biggest challenges together. We look forward to seeing how Govt brings it to life.

🚨ICYMI the Civil Society Covenant has officially landed and it's a powerful moment for charities.

This principles-based framework aims to reset how the UK government and civil society work together, building trust and unlocking collective potential 🧵👇