Actively Engaging Disadvantaged People in Improving their Quality of Life

Today, the most vulnerable members of society often experience multiple, interconnected forms of disadvantage. Such “multi-dimensional disadvantage” has created new issues and opportunities for social security institutions. Historically, these institutions have been mainly engaged in the collection of contributions and distribution of benefits and payments to protect people against social and economic risk. Now, however, social security entities need new and better ways of overcoming the complex challenges of multi-dimensional disadvantage.

Read the executive summary [PDF, 365KB]

In this report, which is based on the results of in-depth interviews with government officials in 21 countries, Accenture's Institute for Health & Public Service Value explores the ways in which public service agencies around the world are responding to multi-dimensional disadvantage by empowering and enabling individuals and families to overcome their problems, participate more fully in society and enhance their life chances. The report outlines some recommendations for how social security institutions can achieve high performance and deliver better outcomes to those they serve.