IMPROVE EQUITY

The IM-EQ (Improve Equity) project is part of a European consortium coordinated by TNO (Netherlands), with the participation of FISABIO (Spain), HafenCity University (Germany), SWPS University (Poland), and Koç University (Turkey). Its objective is to develop and evaluate innovative strategies to reduce health and obesity inequalities in vulnerable neighborhoods through a local policy model.

In Valencia, the project is being carried out in the Fuente de San Luís Basic Health Zone, located in district 10 (Quatre Carreres). This area combines established neighborhoods with others that have social, economic, and environmental deficits, serving a population of around 40,000 people, with a high aging index and significant cultural diversity (23.3% of migrant origin).

The indicators show significant territorial inequalities:

● Average income between €13,736 and €27,005 depending on the neighborhood.

● Unemployment of 17.3% in Na Rovella.

● Up to 36.8% of households in energy poverty.

● Unequal access to green spaces (from 1.72 m² to 28.19 m² per inhabitant).

● High premature mortality (465.29 potential years of life lost per 100,000 inhabitants).

Despite these difficulties, the area has significant community assets, such as the Basic Area Health Council, the València Saludable association, and neighborhood networks that promote citizen participation in health.

IM-EQ uses a Participatory Action Research approach and the ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development) method to involve citizens, professionals, and the administration in the co-creation of local policies. It also applies the DILaN digital twin tool, which allows the effects of different actions on neighborhood health to be visualized and simulated.

The project is structured into four work packages (WP):

● WP1: Community participation.

● WP2: Identification of priorities for action.

● WP3: Visualization and simulation of interventions.

● WP4: Evaluation of implementation.

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IMPROVE EQUITY (Implementation of an innovative model for policy reform towards obesity prevention) is a project funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and co-funded by the European Union through the ERA4Health Partnership International Collaboration Projects initiative, project code AC23_2/00042.