Farset conference to consider action on health inequalities in our communities in Belfast and beyond

The Ann Brown Trust at Farset, with support from the Institute of Public Health and the Pubilc Health Agency, is hosting a landmark conferece to highlight the challenging issue of health inequalities.  The work leading up to the conference has focused on Belfast communities but there is a recognition that this issue goes beyond these boundaries.

The conference “Health Inequalities in our Communities” will be held in the Farset Centre, Springfield Road on Friday 23 October from 9.00am to 3.30pm.

The event takes place against a backdrop of global and national action against health inequality and highlights the actual health inequalities experienced by the local population of Belfast. Delegates from Inishowen Partnership, Donegal will also be informed by debate from the conference.

Jackie Hewitt at Farset says,

“When we saw the figures that showed the huge gap in health and well-being which people in poorer communities could expect compared with others living only a short distance away, we were shocked.  This just isn’t acceptable.  It can’t be allowed to continue..
For example,  Life expectancy is 5 years shorter here and there is a much higher chance of suffering poor physical and mental health of all kinds These health problems are associated with lower levels of education; poorer employment prospects; lower income; and many other serious social problems. These aren’t just figures; these are the lives of our families and friends; our children and grand children. We owe it to them to do something now”

Baroness May Blood, Trustee, Ann Brown Trust at Farset added,

“All children are not born equal…In Belfast today your postcode determines your life opportunities. Live in the Shankill or Falls and you’re more likely to get cancer or heart disease, less likely to get a job and more likely to be a single teenage mum. Dependency on benefits and prescription drugs is higher in these areas -  as is the incidence of poverty and mental illness. All children are not born equal but they deserve an equal chance  - it is time for the politicians and policy-makers to give our children the chances they deserve.”

Delegates at the conference will hear leading experts discuss a local community perspective on health inequality against the backdrop of evidence from international research and good practice. A series of “Café Conversations” will give delegates the opportunity to consider, in small informal group settings, the actions that would address health inequalities in their work, lives and communities.

The conference will conclude with recommendations for action on health inequalities.

Ends

For further information please contact

Margery Magee
(on behalf of Farset)
Communications Manager
Public Health Agency
Belfast Health Action Zone

Tel                028 9023 7026
Mobile/out of hours        07900 575001

Editors Notes

1.    The Ann Brown Trust at Farset was established to honour the work of Ann Brown who worked as a Manager at Farset to develop her community. Ann took a leading role in health issues and the well-being of young people in West Belfast. Ann died of breast cancer in July 2002.

2.    Recent work globally and within NI has highlighted the major health and associated social inequalities.
Globally – World Health Organisation Independent Commission on the Social Determinants of Health
UK     – Marmot review
Ireland     – Institute of Public Health in Ireland/Combat Poverty joint report “Tackling Public Health Inequalities – A Social Determinants Approach”
NI     – there are clearly challenges in Health Inequality. Some work done includes
•    Investing for Health Strategy (currently under review)
•    Work of Health Action Zone – North and West Belfast (eg suicide)
•    Set up of new Public Health Agency on 1st April 2009

3.    Speakers will be available for photographs before the conference between 9.00am and 9.30am. Conference speakers include representative from DHSSPS, NI; Baroness May Blood; Dr Jane Wilde, Institute of Public Health; Mary Black CBE, Public Health Agency; Dr George O’Neill GP, Chairman, Local Commissioning Group; Journalist and author, Malachi O’Doherty and Mary Hinds, acting Chief Executive, Public Health Agency.