Hearty Lives Craigavon project aiming to target heart disease inequalities

This project has been developed in partnership with the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Craigavon Borough Council and Craigavon Traveller Support Committee. The investment is part of the charity’s UK-wide Hearty Lives programme to reduce geographical inequalities in heart disease and in particular to improve heart health for Travellers and other Ethnic communities in the Craigavon Borough Council area.

The Trust has evidence that Travellers and migrant workers within the area are at greater risk of developing heart disease than the rest of the population. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to better target these groups in heart disease prevention, treatment services and interventions without removing existing opportunities from those in the resident and non-migrant communities.

The funding will be used to appoint a part time Heart Health Facilitator to co-ordinate the Hearty Lives Craigavon initiative and work specifically with the Irish Traveller and Migrant Worker populations within the Craigavon Borough Council area.

Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive, Southern Trust said: “This new funding will strengthen our efforts to help people who are most at risk of heart disease within the Craigavon area. This will include providing better information on the range of support available and how this can help them to make the healthy life style choices which are proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. The learning from this new scheme will help us plan services across the Southern Trust area.”

Mayor of Craigavon Councillor Carla Lockhart said: “This is a great initiative and the people within the borough will really benefit from the information and support provided. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust are very pro-active in their efforts towards better educating people in heart disease prevention.”

Lisa Hogg, Manager, Craigavon Travellers Support Committee said: “Craigavon Travellers Support Committee is delighted and proud to be associated with the Hearty Lives Project. This is a new and innovative project championed by Southern Health and Social Care Trust. The Trust has again demonstrated commitment to enhancing the positive health outcomes for the Traveller community living in or visiting the area.”