Jul 07 2010
MEND responds to NAO Report on tackling health inequalities
Harry MacMillan, Chief Executive of MEND, a social enterprise that provides free, community-based healthy living programmes, said:
“The most recent National Audit Office report pinpoints where the Department of Health has been slow to take action to reduce the health inequalities which are so prevalent in today’s society.
“People living in deprived areas are in need of more support and are simply not getting it. If these current trends are allowed to continue, this will lead to more aggravated health inequalities in later life for our children. It is now time for the Department of Health to take positive and practical action on reducing health inequalities, through a strategy with clear timelines focussed on curbing the widening gap in our society.
“We welcome the NAO’s recommendation to channel investment into preventative interventions. Conditions such as obesity must be tackled at the root, with a focus on supporting poorer and more deprived communities to develop life-long healthy habits. Giving families access to free information and support about healthy living, through evidence-based courses such as MEND’s programmes, is an effective and value for money approach to improve public health and reduce health inequalities.
“Professor Sir Michael Marmot’s strategic review: Fair Society, Healthy lives earlier this year led to a new and concentrated focus on addressing the health inequalities in our polarised society. We sincerely hope this NAO report will give further impetus to create a level playing field, so that children across England have the same opportunities and healthy start in life that all children deserve.”
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Notes to editors
About MEND
· MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) is a social enterprise that runs free healthy lifestyle programmes for two – 13 year olds and their families (MEND 2-4, MEND 5-7 and MEND 7-13)
· The MEND 7-13 Programme was devised by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the University College London’s Institute of Child Health
· The MEND 7-13 Programme is run in over 300 sites across the UK per term and has helped over 17,000 families
· MEND’s healthy lifestyle programmes are developed and tested by obesity specialists for delivery by a range of public and private sector partners.
· MEND is a National Third Sector Partner of the Department of Health’s Change4Life campaign.
