The NHS and its strategic partners need to act now to close a widening gap between the health of the best and worst off people on the Isle of Wight.

That is a key message from the Island’s Public Health Report for 2008 produced for the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust and the Island Council by Director of Public Health Dr Jenifer Smith.

Her report has just been published and focuses on three key areas – health inequalities, screening and the health of children and young people. 

It highlights that of the Island’s 48 electoral wards, 12 have almost three years less life expectancy and the gap between these wards and the rest of the Island has been growing in recent years. 

Dr Smith said: 

“Although the overall health of people on the Island is good and compares favourably with most of the rest of the UK, this widening gap in health inequalities is not acceptable and the NHS and its local strategic partners need to act now to reverse the trend.”

During the past year a project was launched to encourage people to check their personal risk from heart disease.  This included inviting residents in the wards with the worst life expectancy to have a heart health check if there are no records of their current health status.

People are offered advice about minimising the risk of heart problems, free or subsidised access to lifestyle interventions – such as access to exercise and help to stop smoking - and referral for treatment, if required.  The project involves strong partnership working with local authorities, housing associations, businesses and voluntary and community groups.

The scheme has been a great success with more people than expected taking up the offer of health checks at either their local GP surgery or at work and other community locations where outreach nurses visit and hold health check sessions.

The report also highlights the success of health screening on the Island which began a cervical screening programme 42 years ago – decades before this was taken up nationwide.  Although currently more than 80% of women aged 25 to 64 are screened, this percentage has fallen slightly in recent years and work is needed now to raise awareness of the programme and make it more accessible. 

Breast screening coverage is also high, currently running at 83.3% of women aged 53 to 64 which is better than the national average.  Other screening programmes for diabetic eye problems and ultrasound during pregnancy have been established and preparations are in hand for the introduction of bowel cancer screening in 2009.

The report has a strong focus on the health of children and young people.  The local NHS and Island Council have joint targets for action under the Local Area Agreement to achieve five key objectives:

Raise educational achievement
Improve general health and mental well-being by reducing bullying, alcohol and substance misuse
Helping more young people to become a part of their community
Developing more support for parents, carers and families.

Steve Beynon, Chief Executive of the Island Council, said: 

“Young people are the Island’s future.  We owe it them to help them achieve their maximum potential and be given opportunities to live happy, healthy and rewarding lives and make major contributions to their communities.

“With partners, we will need to build on the good work already being done on a range of initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.  This work involves reaching out to young people on issues such as alcohol use, sexual health, smoking, oral health, healthy eating and physical activity. 

We will focus particularly on vulnerable children and young people and their families.”

Dr Smith added:

“The 2008 Annual Public Health Report highlights a great deal of very good work and achievement over the past year or so and provides a strong basis for the joint commissioning of future health services. 

We now have a large and challenging agenda to improve health further and it will be imperative that agencies, organisations, businesses and individuals work hand-in-hand because a joined-up approach with everyone playing their part is the only way that can be achieved.”

View the Isle of Wight Public Health Annual Report 2008 click HERE: