That is the view of Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey as the ‘Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System’ report was published.
The report highlights that although life expectancy has increased overall throughout Northern Ireland between 1999-2001 and 2004-2006 for both males (increase of 1.4 years) and females (increase of 1.3 years), there has been very little change in the gap in life expectancy between those living in the most deprived areas and NI overall.
The Minister said: “Health and social care services have been available to people throughout Northern Ireland, free at the point of delivery for 60 years. We have witnessed great medical advances that have seen our life expectancy increase and I am delighted that mortality rates are declining due to developments in coronary heart disease, cancer and strokes. I will continue to invest in these areas to ensure that further progress is made.
“It is extremely disappointing however that despite modern medical interventions, there has been very little progress in raising life expectancy for the most deprived in our society to the same level as enjoyed by the population as a whole. This, in my view, cannot be tolerated. I am determined to make inroads into reducing this stark health inequality.
“It is incumbent that we must do more to engage our population in taking responsibility for their own health. I believe that this can only be achieved through the pursuit of a public health agenda. The Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being will give us the dedicated focus we need. It will work closely with local government to help ensure better coordination and delivery of public health services and initiatives on the ground to tackle issues such as poor mental health, obesity and drug and alcohol misuse.”
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride added: “I truly believe we are entering a very exciting time within health and social care. The renewed and sustained focus that the Agency for the Public Health and Social Well-being will bring to the public health agenda will make a real impact on our society and our life outcomes.
“Health inequalities are an issue we have to address. It is simply not acceptable that your life expectancy is determined by where you are born. There is also a major challenge relating to people’s lifestyles.
“We have high levels of obesity, the majority of men and women binge drink, sexually transmitted infections are on the rise and our levels of teenage pregnancy are among the highest in Europe.
“The shift towards a more health-promoting service, with a greater emphasis on prevention is an opportunity we should embrace with both hands. Our society needs to learn to look after itself more and the new Agency will be integral to tackling the public health challenges we face and delivering better life chances for all.”
Notes to Editors:
- The establishment of a Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being will incorporate and build on the work of the Health Promotion Agency but will have much wider responsibility for health protection, health improvement and development to address existing health inequalities and public health issues for all the people of Northern Ireland.
- The Agency is one element of the Minister’s wide ranging health and social care reforms that were agreed in principal by the Assembly on 1 July 2008. The reform proposals are currently at the Committee Stage of the Assembly process.
- The ‘Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System report’ is available on the DHSSPS website at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-equality.htm
- Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
