Health and well-being are major issues for individuals and communities and therefore also for primary care trusts (PCTs) and local authorities.
This briefing reviews the extensive work undertaken by the Commission over the last 2 years, including:
- 77 corporate assessments of individual local authorities
- 3 national studies
- local audits of action to tackle health inequalities, particularly in North West England
It shows how the issues are being tackled and how further progress could be made.
The health of individuals and communities has improved over the last ten years but health inequalities between social groups and communities persist and in some cases are widening. Local authorities have a critical role in tackling health inequalities and promoting health and well-being. Many of the factors affecting health and well-being are influenced by local authority action.
Included in this report are:
- corporate assessments
- national studies
- local audit
- needs assessment and community engagement
- Knowing your communities: User focus and diversity toolkit
- partnership
- Comprehensive Area Assessment
- strategies and action plans
- evaluation
- good data
- effective use of resources
- action on child accident prevention