About

The IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity was a landmark initiative which explored the case that a healthier country is a more prosperous country. The commission was co-chaired by former health minister Lord Ara Darzi, and former chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies. The Centre for Health and Prosperity builds on the commission’s work, continuing to make the case that health is the foundation of the UK’s future prosperity. However, its core focus is on turning the vision set out by the commission into lasting change. 

The centre will focus on three key areas.

1. Driving NHS reform for the long-term: The government faces a dual challenge in reforming the NHS: meeting urgent performance targets and restoring confidence in existing services, while also delivering the deeper transformation the NHS needs to meet the needs of the future. The centre will provide first-in-class analysis to meet both demands — from delivering the neighbourhood health agenda to building the foundations for long-term change.
2. Boosting the health of the nation: Alongside transforming the NHS, the government has set out an ambition to boost healthy life expectancy, close regional health gaps and cut the number of lives lost to major diseases. This demands a bold shift to prevention and action on the root cause of ill health. Policymakers need clear evidence on what works and milestones to stay on track, especially when budgets are tight and attention is stretched. The centre will provide the strategic insight and political understanding required to keep a long-term health creation mission front and centre.
3. Hardwiring health into economic strategy: The IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity made clear that economic growth and productivity depend on a healthier nation. But real progress will require rewiring the centre of government so that the economic value of health and care investment is properly recognised and incentivised. The centre will lead work to institutionalise the link between health and wealth in how government operates.

The launch of the Centre for Health and Prosperity marks the next phase in IPPR’s mission to make health a driver of national renewal. Building on the insight and influence of the Commission on Health and Prosperity, the centre will focus on turning bold ideas into practical, lasting change. By supporting NHS reform, promoting prevention and population health, and embedding the economic value of health across government, the centre will work to ensure that health is a cornerstone of Britain’s prosperity. In a challenging environment, this sustained, evidence-based approach will be vital to bridging the gap between vision and delivery – and to securing a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous Britain.