DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 19 November 2008
Unveiling a
package of £13.5million to improve health in disadvantaged areas,
Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, today called on local
councillors to tackle pockets of poor health.
The cash will help the most deprived areas improve people's
health and break down the barriers between local services, PCTs
and local authorities. The package includes:
* £11 million for the Communities for Health scheme. This enables
83 areas to implement local health improvement ideas issues like
parenting, healthy eating, or community activities for young and
older people. This goes straight to the communities who need them.
Examples include councils teaming up with the local football team
to promote healthy eating, and schemes encouraging residents to
look out for their elderly next door neighbour.
* £2.5 million for Healthy Communities, helping local Government
improve their knowledge of and ability to tackle health
inequalities locally, through leadership and corporate development .
Speaking at the Improvement and Development Agency conference in
London, Ms Primarolo said:
"Poor health intensifies in poor areas . This has serious
effects on people's lives. To help tackle that, I'm
releasing a package of £13.5 million to help people in the poorest areas.
"Only last week, the Department of Health launched its
Change4Life movement, including support for corner shops to stock
fresh healthy food. Today's announcement injects more cash to
the front line where it's needed."
Currently, the Communities for Health programme is helping some
of the most disadvantaged communities to improve their health. A
total of 83 areas will benefit from the new money.
Focusing on community-based health improvement, over 200 local
activities are helping people take ownership of their own health
and wellbeing. Obesity, smoking, drugs and alcohol are all
challenging issues being tackled.
Notes to Editors
Examples of Communities for Health programmes:
* Barnsley has developed an integrated community-based strategy,
including a peer support programme where parents help vulnerable
families to access healthcare and lead healthier lives.
* Brighton and Hove has partnered with the Brighton football team
to push healthy eating and more active lifestyles, with a
particular focus on health inequalities.
* Brighton is also developing joined-up solutions to health
inequalities among older people, including targeted services for
the Bangladeshi and Arabic communities, and volunteer schemes
where neighbours look out for older people, help out with
practical tasks and provide company.
* Knowsley employed a social marketing approach to develop 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.