The Health of Future Generations

Health inequalities are one of the hardest problems in UK public policy, and current trends risk locking them in for decades. Governments increasingly use futures and foresight methods, but health inequalities research still looks mostly at the past and present. The project asks whether a future-focused approach led by the social sciences can open up a useful new area of research.

Led by Professor Petra Meier at the University of Glasgow, the project starts with horizon scanning and systems mapping to see how long-term trends such as climate change, ageing, technology and geopolitics might combine to shape future health. DTIC co-leads this phase and the final agenda-setting phase.

The project builds a network of researchers, policymakers, practitioners and community organisations, brought together at a two-day Healthy Futures 2070 Forum that uses scenarios, role-play, serious games and simulation. A final phase judges whether the approach works and sets out a prioritised research agenda.