Core20PLUS5 an approach to reducing health inequalities

Core20PLUS5 – An approach to reducing health inequalities

• Core20PLUS5 is a national NHS England and NHS Improvement approach to support the reduction of health inequalities at both national and system level. The approach defines a target population cohort – the ‘Core20PLUS’ – and identifies ‘5’ focus clinical areas requiring accelerated improvement.
• Core20 - The most deprived 20% of the national population as identified by the national Index of 
  Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
• PLUS
  Integrated Care System (ICS)-determined population groups experiencing poorer than average health access, experience and/or outcomes, but not captured in the ‘Core20’ alone. This should be based on ICS population health data.
  Inclusion health groups include: ethnic minority communities, coastal communities, people with multi-morbidities, protected characteristic groups, people experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, vulnerable migrants, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, sex workers, people in contact with the justice system, victims of modern slavery and other socially excluded groups.
• 5 - The final part sets out five clinical areas of focus. 
• Maternity: ensuring continuity of care for 75% of women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and from the most deprived groups.
• Severe mental illness (SMI): ensuring annual health checks for 60% of those living with SMI (bringing SMI in line with the success seen in learning disabilities).
• Chronic respiratory disease: a clear focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) driving up uptake of COVID, flu and pneumonia vaccines to reduce infective exacerbations and emergency hospital admissions due to those exacerbations.
• Early cancer diagnosis: 75% of cases diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028.
• Hypertension case-finding: to allow for interventions to optimise blood pressure and minimise the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.