Health Improvement Programme for
Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Strategic Direction

To improve the health of the worst off in the local population at a faster rate than the rest of the population by targeting the most deprived 20% of enumeration districts in Doncaster where inequalities are at their greatest.

Targets

To improve the <75 age standardised mortality rate in the most deprived 20% of enumeration districts in Doncaster at a faster rate than the rest of the population.

The linkages between health and social issues such as employment, housing, education etc. are now widely recognised and it is important that they are seen in the context of a two way relationship. All of these issues have an impact on health but ill health can also hamper the attempts of individuals to play a full part in regeneration and start to reduce inequalities.

The gap between the best off and the worst off is wide and continues to widen and this is reflected in Doncaster as elsewhere. The area has suffered long-standing deprivation and this has been exacerbated by the decline of traditional industries, particularly coal mining. Mortality rates are extremely high compared with national indicators and there are wide variations within Doncaster. Other health indicators, such as under 16 conception rates and morbidity rates are also well above national averages. The pattern of inequality is mirrored across other areas of activity with poor levels of educational attainment, low uptake of training opportunities, high unemployment rates and a heightened sense of social exclusion, all of which contribute to the low level of health and well being of the population. Poor physical access to all types of facilities and services throughout the area has been identified as a problem and community transport as one of the means of alleviating that problem.

The awarding of Health Action Zone status to the 'South Yorkshire Coalfields', of which Doncaster is a part, has added to the initiatives already in place which are addressing issues causing inequalities. The whole range of alliance partners in Doncaster come together under the strategic umbrella of the Doncaster Regeneration Partnership in order to co-ordinate action related to the Health Action Zone, the Single Regeneration Budgets and European Structural Funds. This makes it possible to have a co-ordinated approach towards dealing with the wider determinants of health.

Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003.

Any comments on this section should be submitted to the Theme Lead, Arnold Drakeley, Doncaster Health Authority, White Rose House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster DN4 5DJ, email arnold.drakeley@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk