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Chapter 2 - How the Council can Help Make a Difference
Chapter 2 - How the Council can Help Make a Difference
Role of Individual directorates/departments in promoting health
Many directorates have an effect on the health of Kingston's residents. Each directorate is committed to improving the health of Kingston residents according to its responsibilities.
Education services can ensure that schools are supportive healthy environments and raise educational attainment so that children have the best opportunities for healthy lives. Education services also provide life long learning opportunities for all ages to improve employment prospects and provide opportunities for social and personal development.
"Education is vital to health. People with low levels of educational achievement are more likely to have poor health as adults. So by improving education for all we will tackle one of the main causes of inequalities in health" - Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation
Through regulatory and enforcement responsibilities for the environment and transport the council can influence the safety of roads, encourage walking and cycling.
"We shall continue to use the planning system to support local shopping facilities which are accessible to non car users, to encourage healthier transport options such as walking and cycling, to promote more sustainable patterns of development for housing" - Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation
Through trading standards, building control and environmental health we can prevent some of the causes of accidents such as dangerous housing, unhygienic food premises and combating the sale of fireworks to underage children.
Through social care for children and families and adults the Council can support and prevent children from abuse and support the health and wellbeing of older people, disabled people, people with mental health problems and their carers.
Through leisure services the council can enable people to take part in a wide range of sporting and leisure activities and through the parks department ensure that people can easily access open spaces for recreation and relaxation.