Agenda item

Public Health will provide a presentation on the Healthy Weight Strategy with particular reference to active travel and green spaces, in order to support the review

The following officers will present:

·  Sangeeta Leahy, Director of Public Health

·  Gillian Boundy,  Senior Public Health Programme Manager – Place and Health Improvement

The chair invited Public Health officers to provide a presentation on the Healthy Weight Strategy with particular reference to active travel and green spaces, in order to support the proposed review on Environmental Health : the health and wellbeing impacts of active travel.

The following officers presented:

• Sangeeta Leahy, Director of Public Health

• Gillian Boundy, Senior Public Health Programme Manager – Place and Health Improvement

The chair invited questions and the following points were made:

·  A member commented that given inactivity is so linked to income deprivation and poor housing are we tinkering round the edges and putting the cart before the horse by focusing on activities rather than tackling the causes of deprivation. Officers agreed that this is very much about deprivation, and this is why the partnership approach is about Public Health being part of housing and planning health interventions focused on those areas, including council housing and specific programmes. Public Health is very much focused on the wider determinants of health and inequality.

·  There was a discussion on poverty and cultural sensitivity. Public Health spoke about delivering culturally specific activities, so for example programmes tailored to the Latin American community and older black men, which provides tailored information on diet and exercise. Public Health are also working with black majority churches and have co designed a programme as it is recognising these are community leaders. Public Health have also worked with pregnant women. The approach is focused on keeping in mind what is suitable with different groups, for example people living with food insecurity and how to provide culturally appropriate information on diet and meal preparation. There is also work with schools.

·  Members commented that some demographics are less likely to walk and cycle, and there can be cultural as well as practical barriers. One issue is that if people in a small flats and cannot store a bike.  The Public Health director said there are lots of barriers based on gender, class, age, ethnicity etc. The approach is to work with groups over time to find out what they want. One example was that an older group of men wanted a dedicated gym class so they would not feel self-conscious.

·  Public health were asked if there was a causal relationship between obesity and deprivation or are there other underlying factors. Officers referred to diagrams in the presentation and how different factors interacted. Deprivation is a strong factor , but it is possible to be wealthy and obese.

·  Members asked about the School Superzones and how these can be enhanced and increased. Officers said that the Superzones is being formally evaluate by GLA, and the council expect to get feedback in terms of what is working well and not so well. Public Health also draws on national research.

·  One member commented that some people are exhausted from working and in those situations cycling and walking is the last thing on their minds. Another member spoke about how active travel has the advantage of being possible to integrate in people’s lives in a way that a visit to the gym or swimming cannot be.

·  Public Health spoke about the importance of working with people not doing any exercise at all as these are most at risk of poor health outcomes.