Stopping poor dyingyounger is a priority

HEALTH Minister Edwin Poots has told East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell that stopping poorer people dying younger than richer people is a key priority for his Department.
Health Minister Edwin PootsHealth Minister Edwin Poots
Health Minister Edwin Poots

Mr Campbell asked what steps were being taken to reduce the difference in life expectancy rates between people who live in more deprived areas and people who live in less deprived areas.

The Health Minister said inequalities - the gap in health status between more affluent and disadvantaged communities and population groups - requires collective and sustained effort across government and all sectors.

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“Improving health and reducing health inequalities continues to be a key priority for my Department and its agencies – I have committed in the Programme for Government to increasing the overall percentage of the health allocation to public health, the Public Health Agency (PHA), Trusts and others are working with other sectors, and with disadvantaged communities at local level, to invest in building capacity and in the design and delivery of targeted programmes,” said Mr Poots.