Health and Well-Being
Health Improvement
Welcome to the health improvement pages of the site. The information here will set out what health improvement means, how it affects all our lives and offer links to articles, which will be useful if you require further information.
What is Health Improvement?
Health improvement is about promoting and supporting the health and well being of everyone in Shetland: all policies and services developed and delivered must ensure that better health for all is achieved. It is about a whole population approach to health rather than specific health services and social care, which mainly focus on services needed by people who are 'ill' and are unable to manage on their own without those services.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking, healthy eating and physical activity, all affect our health and well-being . The ability to make positive lifestyle choices is often linked to the circumstances in which we live. For example, a high proportion of those living on a low income and in lone parent households smoke. Research has shown that smoking is not seen as purely a choice by this group, but as a way of coping with the stresses of their lives.
The link between deprivation (poor living conditions) and ill-health can be made worse by poorer access to a range of services, including healthcare, as these are not always available to the people who need them most, or where they are needed most. Living on a low income, in poverty, or in remote locations also restricts social life and this isolation can leave individuals feeling low and powerless. Access to social networks and resources such as health care and leisure facilities can help prevent this.
It is becoming increasingly important for all agencies to be involved in health improvement, with local authorities needing to consider it as a key role.
Here in Shetland there is a lot of health improvement already happening, but there are also health inequalities and we are working on identifying those and working towards tackling the causes.
What does it mean for you?
For individuals health improvement can mean following a healthier lifestyle, improving access to services or improving personal, social or economic circumstances so everyone can participate more fully in all aspects of life if they wish to do so.
The individual and others can act on some of these things, but others, which are more to do with life circumstances, and environmental factors may need a broader approach that is often beyond the power of the individual to change. These broader factors factors are the areas where the council and other agencies can act to tackle inequality and disadvantage.
Training
We can also offer training in Health Improvement issues
If you would like more information please contact:
Service Manager - Maggie DunneBy Phone: 01595 744800
By Fax: 01595 744802
By Email: environmental.health@sic.shetland.gov.uk
In Person or in Writing: Environmental Health Service, Infrastructure Services Department, Shetland Islands Council, Grantfield, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0NT