Education is key to a healthy city

THE health and well-being of Londonderry's population is "inextricably linked" with the education of our city's children, says Josephine Hasson of the Western Education and Library Board.

Mrs Hasson, who is leading a Londonderry pilot project for the Public Health Agency to encourage disaffected young people to remain in education, believes teaching children about the importance of looking after their health and safety is key to a thriving population and a vibrant city region.

"It's often about targeting bright young people who have just switched off to education for whatever reason, whether they be emotional problems, social problems or problems arising from addiction issues. Early intervention in education is vitally important as these young people are not achieving their full potential - among the main reasons for this are health related issues."

She believes that the implementation of the city's new regeneration plan will help bring together a host of bodies and services to focus on tackling potential health problems in early years through education.

"Through Ilex's plan there is the possibility of bringing interested groups together and of creating a new way of working, that results in more effective partnership working and better outcomes for our children

She adds that such moves are "not blue sky thinking", stating that WELB in partnership with Pubic Health Agency and local schools has embarked on the Anchor Programme - a project designed under the banner of 'Achieving Derry Bright Futures' and aimed at addressing the issues affecting under motivated young people.

"The Ilex project will help widen projects like this and identify any groups that could potentially contribute, working under the same banner with a common focus."

She adds: "The health and happiness of our young people is something we really need to invest in for the future - it's so important to the well-being of the city."

The Health and Wellbeing project aims to address the health and wellbeing inequalities which exist in Londonderry.

The city regeneration plan ('One City, One Plan, One Voice') places the wellbeing of the population at the centre of strategic regeneration planning.

It states that health inequalities are largely determined by factors "outside the reach of the healthcare sector", listing the determinants of health and wellbeing as low income, unemployment, poor environment, diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, poor education and sub-standard housing.

According to the plan, improving health and social wellbeing by tackling health inequalities "requires action and investment across government departments to tackle the root causes of poor health".

The following objectives are aimed for in the plan.

Londonderry established as an Early Intervention City by 2014

Agreed strategy and action Early Intervention Plan by 2012

Improvements in the Health and Social Care workforce and relevant community and voluntary partners by 2012

Work towards the World Health Organisation Healthy City principle of tackling health inequalities for all citizens

Improved health infrastructure through physical, social and economic change by 2015

Increased city and region partnerships in the design and implementation of health improvement programmes by 2012

Derry becomes the lead city for community mobilisation on the issue of alcohol by 2012

Reduction in the health inequalities of those in greatest need by 2015

Sustained reduction in obesity levels in children and young people by 2015

Sustained reduction in the incidence and impact of mental health illness, suicide and self-harm by 2015

Development of strategies and actions to tackle root causes not just symptoms by 2012

Greater equality of access and care for all citizens by 2015

A Charter of Rights for older people underpinning service delivery and improving access to and delivery of services by 2012

Increased investment in domiciliary care and home support for independent living by 2015

Greater participation in EU networks and programmes.