Inequalities in Health fund

The Inequalities in Health fund was established in 2001 as part of a ‘dual strategy’ approach of action inside and outside the NHS to improve health and tackle inequalities in health.

The fund’s first priority and the focus of project action has been coronary heart disease and a total of 67 projects have been supported through the Fund between 2001 and 2008.

Each project has developed local action to address inequalities in health and contributory factors. Working with partners, including local government, the voluntary sector, front-line primary care and NHS Trust staff projects have targeted action across Wales’ most deprived communities.

Projects have made an important contribution to the implementation of some of the standards set in the national service framework for coronary heart disease and have successfully raised awareness of heart health through the provision of diverse action or services including:

• screening and risk assessment in primary care and community settings;
• workplace health;
• lifestyle change advice; 
• exercise; and 
• cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

The coronary heart disease portfolio of projects was concluded on 31 March 2008.  The collaborative working practices fostered within communities and between health professionals are prime examples of how positive outcomes can be achieved.

Summaries of project work are presented on a regional basis.

May 2012: Please note that the Inequalities in Health Fund is no longer in operation.