Health Problems Associated With Poverty "Must Be Tackled"

The Minister was speaking at a conference on Health Inequalities taking place at Farset International in Belfast.

"Why is it that those living in deprived areas have worse health outcomes than those living in more affluent locations?" he said. "It is because of the nature of the circumstances in which we live. Health and well-being is influenced above all by our social circumstances and environment."

"It's not only about helping people take responsibility for their own health and educating about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle - although that is important. Individuals can make choices in everyday life that improve and protect their health, but their health is also influenced by external factors beyond their control.   It is in large part because of the nature of the circumstances in which we live.  Health and well-being is influenced above all by our social circumstances and environment.

"It is about championing public health at all levels.  Across government we need to continue to tackle the problems of poverty, inequality and social exclusion, and ensure policy makers take health impacts into account when developing policy.  

"We must also provide better co-ordination of efforts and strengthen cross-sector partnership working.  That is why I look to the new Public Health Agency which was established in April to play a major role in achieving this and to work in partnership with local government."

The Minister also emphasised the importance of the involvement of local communities not only in the identification of need, but also in the design and delivery of services.

He concluded: "Initiatives such as this conference which bring together local communities and a range of organizations to work together to identify solutions, can serve to create a groundswell for action at local level, and to help inform wider discussion and debate about future policy and decision making."