THEMES | Health

Introduction

“Through partnership we will address the underlying causes of ill health by promoting prevention, education and economic well-being within the community, achieving equity of access to Health Services”

The WHO definition of health is: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
A healthy population is essential for economic prosperity and the growth of strong, safe, and healthy communities. In general, the better off people are, the better is their health, whilst the poorer people are, the worse their health is. These are inequalities in health and they are unfair.

Ensuring a healthy population is not only about treating people when they are ill but also about preventing them from becoming ill in the first place. Health and social care services contribute to improving quality of life and prolonging survival for those with serious diseases. However, the major impact on health is from the wider determinants of health and our lifestyles.

The wider determinants have a direct impact on health, as well as an indirect impact through influencing our lifestyles e.g. in relation to smoking, whether or not we eat a healthy diet, and the amount of physical activity we take. Through the Derwentside Partnership and its Health Improvement Group we need to work together with public sector agencies, the business and voluntary sector and communities.

Our combined efforts are needed to tackle the wider determinants of health inequalities, such as poverty, poor education outcomes, unemployment, poor housing, homelessness and the problems of disadvantaged neighbourhoods, as well as to promote and support healthy lifestyles.