Health Improvement Programme for
Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Strategic Direction

To improve health equality by supporting those worst off to make informed choices and to adapt healthy lifestyles, through the co-ordinated effort of local partnerships. We need to ensure the continued development of a holistic approach to support individuals, family and communities in taking action to improve their own health.

Targets

• To reduce smoking among 15-16 year olds from the 1997 baseline of 28% to 13% by the year 2010, with a fall to 18% by the year 2005.
  
  
• To reduce adult smoking in all social classes so that the overall rates from the 1996 baseline of 36.5% to 26% or less by the year 2010, with a fall to 30% by the year 2005.
  
  
• To reduce the percentage of women who smoke during pregnancy from 25% to 10% by the year 2010, with a fall to 18% by the year 2005.
  
  
• To reduce the number of deaths and the level of ill health caused by unhealthy diets.
  
  
• To increase the levels of physical activity as a means of increasing mental and physical health and contribution to reducing the levels of coronary heart disease, building healthy bones and maintaining good mental health.

General Commentary

Doncaster Health Authority has the overall responsibility for improving health of the local population but this is underpinned by a partnership approach at various levels. As part of this partnership approach we need to recognise the central role of the individual taking action for themselves and their families to improve their own health. These individuals and families need to be supported by the co-ordinated efforts of local partnerships. Action taken by individual and local partnerships will contribute to a reduction in deaths in all the key target areas of Mental Health, Coronary Heart Disease, Accidents and Cancers. We will be targeting those who are worst off whose existing lifestyles are likely to lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

SMOKING

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and is linked to heart disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma and cancer of the mouth, bladder, kidney, stomach and pancreas. In addition, there is considerable evidence that smoking and depression are linked. Research shows that smoking is more prevalent in depressed people than in the general population. Furthermore, mothers who smoke increase the risk of cot death to their babies and are likely to have low birth weight babies. We will focus on developing comprehensive local strategies to tackle smoking and tobacco control in partnership with local authorities and other agencies. Working in partnership with all health professionals across South Yorkshire to support people giving up smoking, in line with the tobacco White Paper 'Smoking Kills'. To work in partnership with schools to develop initiatives designed to discourage children and young people from starting to smoke, and smoking cessation support for those wishing to stop.

DIET

What and how, many people eat and drink has a significant effect on how healthy they are and how long they live. Unhealthy diets are linked to cancer, heart disease and stroke as well as tooth decay. We will work: to promote dietary change by increasing nutritional awareness; to promote dietary change by increasing the level of healthy food options made available locally and to assist those who provide food to the public (caterers, retailers and manufacturers); to offer healthier, safe and more enjoyable food.

EXERCISE

There is strong evidence that physical activity has substantial benefits for health. These include benefits to mental as well as physical health, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases, or promoting independence and reducing the likelihood of fall related injury in older people. Physical activity can provide a wide range of benefits, which improve overall quality of life. A multi-agency approach to promoting physical activity is being developed.

Further information can be obtained by accessing the full text version of this section of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Any comments on this section should be submitted to the theme lead: Ms. Angela Scott, Director of Health Promotion, Doncaster Health Authority, White Rose House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster, DN4 5DJ. email: angela.scott@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk