About us

Where people grow up, live, and work has a deep impact on their health. Urban areas like inner-city London face some of the greatest health inequalities in the country. While these places are vibrant and diverse, they also experience stark differences in health outcomes. Impact on Urban Health is determined to change this.

The organisation believes that by removing barriers to good health, cities can become healthier places for everyone. It focuses on a few key health challenges that affect urban communities the most; children’s health and nutrition, financial security for adults, the effects of air pollution, and children’s mental health.

Its programmes are long-term and built on strong partnerships that span local, borough, national, and international levels. Combining funding and expertise, Impact on Urban Health supports community-led projects, evidence-based strategies from around the world, and new innovative ideas. It prioritises work where evidence shows it can have the greatest impact and brings together multiple approaches to tackle problems from different angles.

The London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark are at the heart of the organisation’s work. These are some of the most diverse areas in the world. Here, Impact on Urban Health invests, tests ideas, and builds understanding about how cities can support better health. This place-based approach means looking closely at how social, economic, and environmental factors affect health and sharing what is learned to improve cities everywhere.

As part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation, Impact on Urban Health is part of a family of organisations united by a shared mission to promote health equity. The organisation is committed to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything it does, knowing that true health equity requires addressing systemic inequalities.