The Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SHC) Programme is a Healthy Ireland initiative to reduce health inequalities in Ireland. Launched in 2021, the Programme provides health and wellbeing services and community development initiatives in 19 community areas across Ireland where health inequalities are most evident. Health inequalities exist when a subgroup of the population suffers a disproportionate burden of ill health and premature death compared to the community as a whole. Health inequalities are unnecessary, unfair, and avoidable.

Compared to other members of society, groups who are poorer or disadvantaged generally experience more illness during their lifetime, which negatively influences wellbeing and quality of life. The impact of health inequalities is an everyday lived experience confronting people from disadvantaged and marginalised communities.