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Communities inspired to take control of their health

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 15 October 2009

A new report showing how communities have been inspired and helped to improve the health of all their residents is published today.

The Communities for Health programme is helping some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. More than 360 local activities have enabled people to take control of their own health and wellbeing, tackling obesity, smoking, drugs and alcohol.

This second report about the Programme, Unlocking the energy within communities to improve health, describes how community activities in more than 80 local authorities have encouraged behaviour change and strengthened local partnership to tackle a wide range of key health priorities.

For example:

* Barnsley has developed a peer support programme where parents help vulnerable families to access healthcare and lead healthier lives.

* Doncaster is working with local partners on community-focused schemes ranging from enhancing community allotments to improving the fitness of primary school children; and from setting up peer mentors for young people to health screening for workers who do not normally access it.

* Brighton is working with older people, including services for the Bangladeshi and Arabic communities, and volunteer schemes where neighbours look out for older people, help with practical tasks and provide company.

* Knowsley used social marketing in its development of ‘Snack Right’, a project to increase fruit and vegetables as a snack of choice for weaned children to the age of four in the most deprived areas.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:

“The NHS is based on the principle of fairness, treating all those who need it regardless of their background. That is why the Government has put in place the most comprehensive programme ever in this country to address health inequalities, through providing the NHS and local authorities with the tools and support they need.

“Mortality rates for cancer and cardiovascular disease have fallen fastest in the most disadvantaged areas. Life expectancy has improved for all social groups and infant mortality rates are at their lowest ever level. Projects like these are invaluable in giving everyone an equal chance of good health.”

Communities for Health is supported by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) who have published an accompanying document Communities for Health: the story so far...

In 2008/09 Communities for Health funding of £11 million was given to more than 80 local authorities with a further £9 million in 2009/10.

Notes to Editors

The report is published on 15 October 2009 and is available on the DH website: www.dh.gov.uk

The commitment in “Health Inequalities: Progress and Next Steps” (June 2008) to further fund the Communities for Health programme is one of a series of investments to increase support to local areas to deliver the 2010 health inequalities national target.

Contacts:

Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk