Chapter 1 - Why Have a Health Strategy?

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• Chapter 1 - Why Have a Health Strategy?

Clearly Local Authorities have a vital role in promoting and improving the health of the local community. This has been recognised increasingly by central government who have initiated various programmes for local implementation including Health Improvement Programmes, Social exclusion themes and Local agenda 21 initiatives. (See Appendix 1).

A health strategy for RBK will demonstrate the Council's commitment to health promotion in its widest sense, emphasising the prevention of illness rather than the treatment of disease. The strategy is for local people and it endeavours to secure co-ordinated action across the Council and between agencies by the implementation of annual action plans.

The activities outlined in the Healthy Kingston Strategy complement actions by the other partner agencies, which together comprise the local Health Improvement Programme, or HIMP. RBK is fully involved in the production of the Kingston and Richmond Health Improvement Programme. For further information on the Health Improvement Programmes (see Appendix 1).

The strategy's main aim is:

"To promote Kingston as a healthy and caring place to live'"

How the Council can help make a difference

Kingston Council can improve the health of the people of Kingston by providing services, working with other Local Authorities, local Health services (health authority, trusts, primary care groups), local businesses and the voluntary sector and, as policy promoters, influence local affairs.

There is clear evidence from 'The 1998 Annual Report by the Kingston and Richmond Health Authority Director of Public Health' that there are significant differences in the health of residents in Kingston and Kingston Council can tackle these inequalities in health through many of its policies. (See recommendations from the independent report into inequalities in health, appendix 2)

"Local decision-makers must think about the effect which their policies may have on health and in particular how they can reduce health inequality"

Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation