Health inequalities in Scotland and England: the contrasting journeys of ideas from research into policy

ABSTRACT

Both the UK's Labour Government and Scotland's devolved Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition Executive have committed themselves to reducing health inequalities. Furthermore, both institutions have emphasised the importance of using evidence to inform policy responses. In light of such political commitments, a significant amount of work has been undertaken in the field of health inequalities in order to (i) review the available research evidence; (ii) assess the extent to which policies have been based on this research evidence; and (iii) evaluate the success (or failure) of policies to tackle health inequalities. Yet so far only limited attention has been given to exploring how key actors involved in tesearch-policy dialogues understand the processes involvedl. In an attempt to address this gap, this article draws on data from semi-structured interviews with 58 key actors in the field of health inequalities research and policymaking in the UK to argue that it is ideas, rather than research evidence, which have travelled from research into policy. The descriptions of the varying journeys of these ideas fit three types - successful, partial and fractured - each of which is outlined with reference attmpt to iluminate and better understand the contrasting journeys. In the concluding discussion, it is argue that the understanding the research findings, but that this needs to be discussed in relation to the political context within which negotiations take place. (AU)