Progress on health inequalities shows why Oxfordshire must keep investing in what works

New evidence showing encouraging progress on health inequalities in parts of Oxfordshire underlines the need for partners and decision makers to keep investing in community led action.

That’s the verdict of, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Ansaf Azhar, in his new annual report, looking at progress made countywide since his first report, back in 2019, which focused on tackling health inequalities.

Back in 2019, Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) data identified 10 communities in Oxfordshire with small areas in the 20 per cent most deprived nationally. In October 2025, the most recent data showed that this has reduced to eight.

“Five years on from my first annual report, ‘Some are more equal than others,’ this year’s report is a moment to pause, reflect and, most importantly, to be clear about what comes next,” said Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire County Council.

“The latest data shows encouraging signs in areas where sustained, targeted effort has been focused, particularly in wards  that have faced the greatest disadvantage. That matters, because it tells us that long term, locally grounded work is beginning to influence the wider conditions that shape people’s health.

“It’s vital to be clear and honest about what the data does and does not tell us. This is about correlation, not simple cause and effect. No single programme or organisation can claim credit for these shifts. But what we can say with confidence is that where partners have worked together, listened to communities, and invested consistently over time, we are starting to see movement in the right direction.

“At the same time, the picture across the county is mixed. Some areas outside our original ten priority communities have worsened slightly, albeit from a much higher starting point of affluence. That reinforces a crucial point: inequality is not static, and progress in one place does not mean the job is done elsewhere. This is exactly why nuanced interpretation of the data matters, and why a countywide, Marmot informed approach is so important.

“One of the most powerful lessons of the last five years has been the value of understanding places properly. Our community insight profiles brought together data, lived experience and local asset mapping, giving us a far richer picture than statistics alone ever could. They showed us why approaches need to look different in places even when communities are facing similar challenges.

“None of this has been achieved by public health working in isolation. The progress described in this report belongs to a wide partnership across the county. Reducing inequalities is collective work, and it only succeeds when responsibility, learning and commitment are shared.

“My biggest concern now is timing. This is not the moment to take our foot off the gas. The gains we are seeing are fragile, and without sustained investment we risk losing momentum, eroding trust, and undoing years of careful relationship building in communities that need stability most.

“Oxfordshire’s commitment to being a Marmot County gives us a real opportunity to build on what we have learnt and scale this approach beyond the original ten communities, reaching people across the whole county, including, crucially, rural areas. But Marmot is not a badge; it’s a commitment to long‑term, preventative action on the root causes of inequality. That means sticking with what works, protecting investment, and continuing to put communities at the heart of decision making.

“My call to action is simple: use this evidence, back partnership working, and help us keep going at the very moment when progress is starting to show.”

This year’s annual report is also different in how it’s shared. By moving to a more accessible, interactive online format, more people – residents, partners and practitioners alike – can explore the evidence, understand the story behind the data, and see how local action connects to countywide ambition.

The director of public health annual report will be formally launched at a countywide learning and celebration event in May, bringing partners together to reflect on progress, share learning and look ahead to the next phase of work to reduce health inequalities across Oxfordshire.

Find out more by visiting the dedicated Director of Public Health Annual Report website. 

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