OPTIMA.
Orienting Policy Towards Inequality Minimising Actions
Investigating the impact of 20-minute neighbourhoods on UK population health and equitable community outcomes.
About OPTIMA
A systems science approach to 20-minute neighbourhoods
In a 20-minute neighbourhood, communities can reach daily services — shops, schools, healthcare, parks — within a short walk or cycle from home.
There is ambition to implement these across Scotland, the UK and internationally. Claims exist that they will reduce health inequalities — but evidence to support this is lacking. There is also a real chance that inequalities might get worse, for example if prices increase and the poorest are left behind, or if access to unhealthy products increases.
The dashboard below helps to visualise what is currently in each neighbourhood, and how they currently perform on key metrics.
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Interactive Dashboard
Interactive Data Explorer
Explore health inequality indicators and place-based metrics across UK neighbourhoods in our interactive data environment.
Dashboard designed and built by Reese Green
Explore the dashboard
Search by postcode to see what services are within a 20-minute walk, wheel or cycle of your neighbourhood.
Live Tableau embed for the OPTIMA dashboard.
Learn More
More About the Project
Project Homepage
Overview of the OPTIMA project, our aims, and our approach to understanding 20-minute neighbourhoods and health inequalities.
About the Project
Detailed background on the research questions, methods, and the systems science approach underpinning OPTIMA.
How the Project Works
How we use agent-based modelling and integrated evidence to simulate policy impacts on neighbourhoods and health.
Latest News
Updates, publications, events and announcements from the OPTIMA research team.
Public Engagement
Public-facing coverage of OPTIMA activity, including engagement work and project events.