Health Secretary Frank Dobson, speaking to leaders of Health Action Zones, made it clear that the strategy is to drive up the health standards of poorer people at a faster rate than the general population. There are widespread health inequalities across the country. Heart attacks and strokes disable and kill East Londoners at a relatively young age. Being born in the worst off areas of Manchester means a child growing up many times more at risk of accidents than in more prosperous areas. 

One month before the eight Regional Development Agencies are launched the Round Table on Sustainable Development has highlighted one of the important roles they can play. A Round Table report explores the unique opportunities for promoting sustainable development as a fundamental principle in the governance of the UK. 

Health Secretary Frank Dobson, speaking to the Public Health Forum, set out the way in which overall Government policy is supporting the National Health Service and social services in the drive for better health. He outlined how joined up policies are helping to tackle the causes of ill health.
Poverty, which is a primary cause of ill health, is being addressed on a number of fronts. The national minimum starting on 1 April 1999 will effect 2 million people.