Tackling Inequalities in Health Project
The Investing for Health Strategy, published in March 2002, provides the framework for the government’s approach to improving health and well being and reducing health inequalities. The Investing for Health approach is based on partnership working among departments, public bodies, local communities, voluntary bodies. District Councils and the social partners.
“Our health is largely determined by our social, economic, physical and cultural environment”1
In 2009, the Northern Investing for Health Partnership (NIfHP) established the Tackling Inequalities in Health Project (TIHP) in order to increase local awareness and understanding of the wider health, social and economic circumstances that contribute to poor health and social well-being and the lower than average life expectancy experienced by many local people.
A local Health Inequalities officer has been employed a part of a pilot project to explore, assess and analyse local information and statistics for the Cookstown district. This work involves engaging with and exploring issues with local groups and stakeholders in target ward areas that have been identified through research in order to facilitate and promote a greater awareness and understanding of the causes contributing to disadvantage and lower life expectancy. It also aims to seek views on how to develop more effective ways of improving health and well being and reducing health inequality and promote relevant local action.
For further information on the Tackling Inequalities in Health Project, please contact Una O’Kane on 028 86762205.
1 Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Investing for health. Belfast: DHSSPS; 2002.
Further information on the Public Health Agency and their work in Tackling Health Inequalities is at the following link:
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorate-public-health/health-and-social-wellbeing-improvement
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