{
  "abstract": "Background Redcar and Cleveland (RC), located in Northeast England, includes several coastal communities where health outcomes are generally poorer than national averages. This study aimed to explore the physical, mental, and social health needs of these communities and identify priorities for future research.Methods A mixed-methods approach was used, including documentary analysis of health data from RC Council (June 2024), descriptive analysis of an online survey (n=112; Dec 2023–June 2024), and thematic analysis of ethnographic observations (Mar–June 2024) with two local community groups. Findings were shared and validated through a live scribing session, and bespoke infographics were produced to highlight agreed research priorities.Results Survey respondents (average age 55; range 24–82) were 26% male, 70% female, and 4% unspecified. Compared to 2021 census data, unemployment was slightly higher (6.4% vs. 5.9%), unpaid carers were more prevalent (23% vs. 4.2%), and disability rates were more than double (23.6% vs. 10.1%). Ethnographic data revealed high crime linked to drug use, social isolation, poor transport, and inadequate housing. Due to limited coastal-specific data from local authorities, census data was used for comparison.Conclusion Findings highlight significant economic, social, and health challenges in RC’s coastal communities, often obscured by national-level data. The project also fostered new partnerships between a higher education institution and community organisations, creating a foundation for trust, shared purpose, and co-produced research. These relationships have since extended into further collaborative work, demonstrating the potential for long-term impact through community-engaged research.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Andrea Mountain"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Dorothy Newbury-Birch"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK",
        "Fuse, NIHR School for Public Health Research, Newcastle, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Natalie Connor"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OP01 Life’s a beach! Or is it? An ethnographic exploration of the health and social needs of coastal communities in Redcar and Cleveland",
  "uid": "f751c2c2-f95d-58cb-ba2a-1f597637e5b5"
}