BROWSE
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Appendix 2 - Healthy Kingston Strategy
Appendix 2 - Healthy Kingston Strategy
A summary of the recommendations of the Independent inquiry into inequalities in health (Acheson) report which link to RBK activities
Three general policies:
- All policies likely to impact on health should be evaluated in terms of their impact on health inequalities
- A high priority should be given to the health of families with children
- Further steps should be taken to reduce income inequalities and improve the living standards of poor households.
Particular policies for specific areas:
1. Poverty, Income, Tax and Benefits
- Mechanisms for monitoring inequalities
- A review of data needs to improve capacity to monitor inequalities
- Measures to increase the uptake of benefits to entitled groups
2. Education
- Further development of high quality pre school education
- Further development of the 'health promoting schools' initiatives
- Further measures to improve the nutrition provided in school
3. Employment ยท
- Further steps to increase job opportunities, including training for young and long term unemployed
- Policies to improve the quality of jobs and reduce psycho-social work hazards
4. Housing and Environment
- Policies which increase the supply of affordable housing
- Policies to improve housing provision and access to health care for homeless
- Policies to improve the quality of housing e.g. insulation, heating, smoke detectors
- Policies to reduce fear of crime and violence and create safe environments
- Policies to address the needs of people with housing and support needs
5. Mobility, Transport and Pollution
- Further development of high quality and affordable public transport
- Further measures to encourage walking and cycling, ensuring separation of pedestrians and cyclists from motor vehicles
- Further steps to reduce usage of motor vehicles
- Further steps to reduce traffic speed
- Concessionary fares for pensioners and disadvantaged groups
6. Nutrition and the Common Agricultural Policy
- Policies which will increase the availability and accessibility of foodstuffs to supply an adequate and affordable diet
- Policies which will ensure adequate retail provision of food for disadvantaged
7. Mothers, Children and Families
- Policies removing barriers to work for parents who wish to combine work with parenting including provision of affordable day care and pre school education.
- Policies which increase the prevalence of breast feeding
- Programmes which help women to give up smoking during pregnancy
- Policies to promote the social and emotional support of parents and children
- Local authorities identify and address the health needs of looked after children
8. Young People and Adults of Working Age
- Measures to prevent suicide in young people
- Policies which promote sexual health in young people and reduce unwanted teenage pregnancy
- Policies which promote the adoption of healthier lifestyles
9. Older People
- The quality of homes in which older people live should be improved.
- Policies which promote the maintenance of mobility, independence and social contacts
- Further development of health and social services for older people so that these services are accessible and distributed according to need.
10. Ethnicity
- The needs of minority ethnic groups should be specifically considered in the development of policies aimed at reducing inequalities in health.
- Further development of services sensitive to the health needs to minority ethnic groups
- Needs of minority ethnic groups specifically considered in needs assessment, resource allocation, health care planning and provision.
11. Equalities
- Policies which reduce the excess mortality from accidents and suicide in young men
- Policies which reduce psychosocial ill health in young women in disadvantaged circumstances, particularly those caring for young children.
- Policies which reduce social and environmental barriers faced by disabled people, particularly older women living at home.