Priority health outcomes announced for Live Better areas
Date published:
The Department of Health has set out the three priority themes for the Live Better approach to tackle health inequalities.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is pictured with Betty Carlisle, CEO Shankill Women’s Centre; and Stephen Wilson, Head of Strategic Engagement, Public Health Agency.
Activities within the first two Live Better locations, which have been identified by local stakeholders, will deliver across themes of Starting Well, Living Well, and Ageing Well. They will also promote awareness of health inequalities issues through community health fairs, health checks and improving health literacy.
The initial Live Better locations are the Court District Electoral Area (DEA) in Belfast and The Moor DEA in Derry/Londonderry.
The three priority themes have been identified through engagement with local stakeholders to identify health issues in their neighbourhoods. They will involve:
Starting Well: children’s oral health (The Moor); childhood vaccinations (Court);
Living Well: prediabetes, smoking cessation and cancer screening (The Moor); smoking in pregnancy (Court);
Ageing Well: frailty and falls prevention (The Moor); connecting isolated older people with local support services (Court); and
In addition, health fairs and checks will be provided in both areas.
Minister Nesbitt at Shankill Women's Centre
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed the agreed outcomes on a visit to a health fair hosted by Shankill Shared Women’s Centre in the Court area.
The event included information stalls, advice and support, alternative therapies and health checks.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Health inequalities represent one of my key areas of focus and I am pleased to see its importance reflected in the Executive’s Programme for Government.
“Live Better has been designed to bring targeted health support directly into communities by better aligning existing resources and HSC services and focusing on making them as accessible as possible and addressing local needs.
Minister Nesbitt at Shankill Women's Centre
“I am delighted to be here today at the Shankill Shared Women’s Centre to see how events like this can place healthcare into the heart of communities. I believe Live Better has the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives and I would particularly encourage anyone who doesn’t usually participate in health events to come and get involved in the activities that will be offered.
“I also extend my thanks to the local stakeholder groups, GPs and HSC Trusts who have been working closely with Public Health Agency (PHA) colleagues to identify the priority issues to be addressed in the Court and The Moor areas.”
Health Minister visit to Shankill Women's Centre
Some examples of programmes up and running or due to get underway include: a physio-lead intervention on safer mobility, including strength and balance exercises for older people with a text message service encouraging participants to be more active; a 12-week community-led pre-diabetes intervention programme; and a number of health check opportunities across the two demonstration areas.
Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the PHA, said: “The local community organisations and primary care providers collaborating on Live Better are helping to deliver a community-centred approach to support people who are impacted most by health inequalities.
“The ongoing work by the PHA to help improve health and wellbeing and tackle health inequalities in communities has the potential to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes, which is complemented by the Live Better initiative.
“Over the coming weeks, I would encourage everyone to engage in Live Better activities in these areas to find out more about, and participate in, the project in their community.”
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