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Programme for Action overview and documents

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

Documents and overview from the Programme for Action.

Tacking Health Inequalities: A Programme for Action was launched in July 2003 by the Secretary of State for Health as part of the wider national drive for improving social justice.  Backed by twelve departments, the Programme lays the foundation for meeting the government's targets to reduce the health gap on infant mortality and life expectancy by 2010.  Reversing this widening gap between social groups is a major challenge and the Programme emphasises the need to improve health and the factors that contribute to health faster in disadvantaged areas than elsewhere.

The Health Inequalities Unit's task is to drive delivery of the government commitments out lined in the Programme, ensuring their implementation and that they achieve the required results necessary to achieve the PSA health inequalities target.

The Programme presents a clear pragmatic strategy which is evidence based in targeting resources and efforts in the following four delivery themes:

Reflecting the high priority given to them in the Acheson Inquiry Report, we need to contribute to the work that will help break the cycle of deprivation and disadvantage through the generations.

Strengthening capacity to tackle local problems and pools of deprivation, alongside national programmes to address the needs of local communities and socially excluded groups.

By tobacco policies, improving primary care and tackling the 'big killers' of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cancer.  The NHS has a key part to play in contributing to the national health inequalities targets at the local as well as the national level.

Emphasising the need for concerted effort across Government at national and local level up to and beyond the 2010 target date.

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