Health training in a deprived area

A social enterprise known as Mytime Active has been given a three year contract for its Health Trainer Service to work with residents in the disadvantaged areas around Portsmouth. The training will focus on encouragement to change behaviours and lifestyles with an overall aim to improve general health and life expectation. On average men living in the deprived areas around Portsmouth can expect a life 10 years shorter than men living in more affluent areas. Trainers work with residents on an individual basis to assess what changes for improvement can be made such as increasing activity, eating a healthier diet and giving up smoking.

Scotland's health inequalities - 50 years on

Audit Scotland's Report out this week acknowledges that over the past 50 years there have been some improvements in Scotland's health inequalities but there is still a very long way to go. It's not surprising that the worst health problems are linked with deprived areas. Deputy Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw says that people, regardless of their background, have to take responsibility for their own health, but also calls on ministers to do more. See the BBC news item for comments on the results of the report.