Vol. 415 No. 7
104 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the steps he is proposing to take subsequent to a recent study carried out by the Eastern Health Board which shows that the lifestyle of young adults in Dublin's black spot areas has been linked to a high prevalence of smoking, unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The development of health promotion strategies for socially deprived areas is a major priority of the health promotion unit of my Department and of the Eastern Health Board.
The first phase of the development of such strategies was conducting baseline research to determine specifically the health risk profile in selected areas. The Eastern Health Board, with financial support from the health promotion unit, conducted a study of behavioural risk factors among young adults in areas with high mortality versus those in low mortality areas. The second phase, which is well advanced, is to develop specific interventions to address these behavioural risk factors involved, particularly nutrition, smoking, alcohol and exercise. In fact, the health board and the health promotion unit are already finalising details on a nutrition intervention programme in response to the findings of this study.
Incorporated in the current health promotion activities of the health board are programmes which are specifically targeted at socially deprived areas. These include:
—Family development programmes aimed at first time mothers in deprived areas which involve structured interventions promoting physical, mental and emotional health.
—The travellers programme which involves a mobile health clinic for travellers with medical and nursing personnel involved in health promotion.
—The healthy cities project. The health board, in association with the three Dublin local authorities, are involved in the World Health Organisation's healthy cities project which specifically involves anti-smoking strategies, exercise and sport for disadvantaged youth.
