Mar 31 2011 11:00AM
A novel role is being created in Ipswich to help improve the health and wellbeing of people living in the town.
A researcher, funded jointly by Ipswich Borough Council and UCS, will oversee a new strategy designed to tackle inequalities in health between affluent areas and deprived neighbourhoods. In some areas, male life expectancy is just 71, compared with 78 on average in Suffolk. Other issues include teenage pregnancy, falls by the elderly and obesity in children.
The Council and UCS are two of the partners developing the Health & Wellbeing Strategy. Others involved are IPSCOM, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Mental Health Partnership and the PCT.
Professor Brendon Noble, Head of the School of Science Technology and Health| at UCS, said: “This strategy will enable all of us to speak with one voice and prevent health problems occurring in the first place as well as offering key support and advice to people in need. We are delighted to contribute to a plan that will really make a difference to the people of Ipswich.”
Ipswich Borough Council Director Jonathan Owen added: “We are pleased to be working so closely with UCS and others to improve the health of Ipswich.”