This evidence brief draws on anthropological research in Ealing, a borough in Northwest London, to demonstrate how investing in community engagement infrastructure is fundamental to pandemic preparedness. While traditional preparedness often focuses on plans and protocols, the Ealing experience shows that the ability to rapidly mobilise trusted community relationships may be more critical for effective emergency response. Such relationships enable both broad public cooperation with emergency measures and targeted support for diverse groups, including those who are often marginalised or harder to reach through conventional one-size-fits-all approaches. This brief provides insights and key considerations for local authorities and health system actors with regard to strengthening these essential foundations. Its findings are particularly applicable to other superdiverse urban contexts, but key messages will also resonate in other local settings across the UK.
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