Neighbourhood health for CVD prevention and rehabilitation

Health Innovation East is working with the British Heart Foundation on a new national project exploring how neighbourhood health approaches can strengthen cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and rehabilitation. 

As Integrated Care Systems (ICS) continue to develop Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, there is a growing need for practical, evidence-based insight into what effective neighbourhood health looks like for people living with, or at risk of, CVD.  

This project aims to draw together transferable lessons from across systems, highlight real‑world implementation approaches, and support shared learning as neighbourhood models for CVD prevention and rehabilitation continue to evolve. 

The project has three core aims: 

• To define and promote the key features of an effective neighbourhood health model that improves outcomes for people living with or at risk of CVD; 
• To support ICSs and local partners in implementing neighbourhood health services that reduce inequalities in CVD outcomes, especially in areas of highest deprivation; 
• To identify clinical and community champions who can advocate for change, foster collaboration across sectors, and ensure that prevention remains a strategic priority. 

To deliver this, the project will combine: 

• a focused evidence review of neighbourhood health policy, guidance and relevant CVD prevention and rehabilitation literature; 
• in-depth case studies across three ICS sites (to be confirmed), exploring how neighbourhood health is being implemented in practice, including key enablers, challenges and lessons learned; 
• engagement with national, regional and local stakeholders to test emerging findings and refine recommendations; 
• lived experience input embedded throughout the project, ensuring that insights from people living with, or at risk of, CVD help shape the analysis and outputs. 

The work will generate a set of practical outputs for systems, including: 

• an online thematic report setting out implementation lessons and evidence-informed recommendations; 
• a ‘What Good Looks Like’ framework for neighbourhood health in CVD prevention; 
• a self-assessment tool for neighbourhood teams; 
• a programme of webinars, blogs and supporting resources to support dissemination and shared learning. 

The project will run through to November 2026, with early activity focused on evidence gathering and system engagement, followed by development and publication of outputs later in the year. 

If you are an innovator or a healthcare provider looking for support with a challenge or project, please fill in Health Innovation East’s consultancy engagement form below.