Health Equity Research (HERe) is an interdisciplinary platform that brings together researchers from the health sciences, the humanities and social sciences, law and economics around a shared goal: to understand, document and reduce social inequalities in health. By combining fundamental research, public policy analysis and collaboration with field actors, HERE aims to contribute to the development of knowledge and action that foster greater health equity.

HERe’s activities are organised around three complementary areas:

1. Conceptual and methodological approaches to social inequalities in health
This area provides a space for interdisciplinary dialogue on the concepts, theoretical models and methods used in the study of social inequalities in health. Through a seminar series bringing together scientists, experts by experience and international guests, it seeks to strengthen exchanges between disciplines on the ethical, epistemological and methodological issues involved in producing knowledge on health equity.

2. Developing an interdisciplinary research agenda on health equity
This area aims to structure research collaborations around the social, economic, legal and political mechanisms that shape population health. The work is organised around health issues (cancer, mental health, addictions, chronic diseases, vaccination, chronic pain, etc.) and situations of social vulnerability (precariousness, migration, ageing, work, gender, detention, informal caregiving, etc.). By supporting literature reviews, data sharing, the development of common methodologies and the design of collective projects, HERE seeks to become a reference hub for research on social inequalities in health in Belgium and to support the development of large-scale interdisciplinary projects at national and international level.

3. Partnerships, social innovation and advocacy
The third area aims to strengthen the links between research, professional practice and public policy. In collaboration with associations, public services, professionals in the social and health sector, and the people concerned, HERe identifies and analyses initiatives that help reduce social inequalities in health. The platform thus develops knowledge transfer activities, evaluation of social innovations and decision-making support, in order to promote the use of research findings in public action and field practice.

Through its interdisciplinary grounding and its openness to civil society, HERe aspires to make ULB a reference hub for research, training and public debate on health equity issues.