Bid to help us all live longer (From Warrington Guardian)

Bid to help us all live longer

WARRINGTON has been chosen to pioneer a Government drive to help people to live longer.

The town's primary care trust is one of 88 in England chosen from 302 nationally, to pilot a health improvement programme. It has been selected because it had poor life expectancy figures during 1995-97, but has since made great improvements.

Health Secretary John Reid unveiled the locations to lead the initiative, based on figures revealing areas of high deprivation, deaths from cancer and heart disease and low life-expectancy.

Selected PCTs will get funding for schemes such as health trainers, enhanced stop-smoking services and healthier school meals. Precise details are not yet available.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones said: "Some of the worst health inequalities in the town are in my constituency. Warrington PCT will be one of the first places to benefit from extra resources and I expect positive and measurable action from them. The aim is to reduce the inequalities in health in these areas and to provide better services enabling people to live longer, free from illness and with a higher quality of life."

Mr Reid said the drive would address smoking, obesity, poor housing, accidents and mental health issues.

Life expectancy and death rates in Warrington from 1995 to 1997 were among the worst 20 per cent in England. The town has now improved to about 40 per cent. Life expectancy in the town is 80 years (female) and 75.7 years (male). The national average is 80.7 years (female) and 76.1 years (male).