This is a guest article from OnePlanet’s Health Lead, Dr. Gaurav Sikka
Why community development is key to health, the environment, and productivity
As the UK government intensifies investments in life sciences, clean energy, and digital innovation through initiatives like the National Wealth Fund, it’s crucial to shift focus towards community-driven solutions. This isn’t merely about infrastructure; it’s about connecting health, the environment, and productivity in ways that benefit everyone. The challenges we face today—from mental health crises to environmental degradation—are deeply intertwined. Solving them requires more than top-down approaches; it requires the empowerment of communities.
Historically, communities played a vital role in shaping individual health and wellbeing. People cared for each other, had access to shared green spaces, and benefited from close-knit relationships. Today, alienation from nature, rapid urbanisation, and the breakdown of community ties have led to fragmented support systems and escalating mental and physical health issues. Now is the time to invest in rebuilding these community bonds.
Recent rewilding initiatives demonstrate a clear link between restoring natural environments and improving mental health. Urban green spaces provide not only ecological benefits but also serve as hubs for social cohesion. Similarly, community-led health programmes show that localised care—where people actively participate in promoting wellbeing—is more effective in preventing disease and reducing healthcare costs.
Importantly, the NHS cannot save itself through internal reforms alone. Demand on the NHS must be reduced upstream by improving the social and environmental determinants of health. By addressing factors such as housing, education, employment, and environmental quality, we tackle the root causes of poor health. When individuals become proactive about their personal health, they often become more engaged in their communities and more conscious of environmental issues.
By investing in community development, we can ensure that these efforts contribute not only to economic productivity but also to alleviating pressures on the NHS. Imagine a healthcare system where prevention is prioritised and the environment is recognised as a critical asset for public health. Rather than treating health solely as a medical issue, we should view it as an integrated challenge tied to how we live, work, and interact with nature.
A call to action for healthcare stakeholders
To my colleagues in the NHS and other healthcare stakeholders: it’s time to advocate for policies and funding that support community-driven health initiatives. We must invest in rewilding urban spaces, incentivise local health programmes, and create infrastructure that encourages social cohesion. Hospitals and clinics should not be the sole focus of healthcare spending; instead, resources should also be directed towards initiatives that improve public spaces, reduce isolation, and empower people to take ownership of their health and the environment.
This is not just a shift in healthcare—it’s a transformation in how we think about health, productivity, and our planet. Our national crises demand a new, holistic approach, and it starts with our communities.