The twin aims of the Government’s new health strategy are described as: “Extending years of fit and healthy life for us all and tackling inequalities in health.” Proposals for action to reduce preventable death in four major areas are set out in a Green Paper A New Contract for Health which envisages a close partnership between Government local services and individuals. The proposals harmonise closely with the strategy for welfare reform, which tackles social exclusion, seeks to rebuild communities, and raise standards of education.The 90-page Green Paper identifies key settings for action: healthy schools, focusing on children; healthy workplaces, focusing on adults; and healthy neighbourhoods, focusing on older people. Schools, for example, will be able to access a website, Wired for Health, giving teachers and children the opportunity to get facts on health and so provide a resource for project work.

Read more on Route to better health signposted by Green Paper…