Levelling Up: Securing health improvement by promoting social inclusion – a cross border action plan for the North West of Ireland

August 2008

Helen McAvoy and Karen Meehan

Overview

• This report presents a cross-border action plan to tackle health inequalities in the North West, as developed by Derry Well Woman and the Cross-Border Women’s Health Network with a range of statutory and voluntary partners.

• The report also includes a contextual piece with locally relevant data and discussion on social inclusion and health inequalities in the North West.

Priority action areas : health inequalities in the North West

• Mental health – suicide, Traveller women, postnatal depression and domestic violence.

• Cancer – cross border planning of curative services and palliative care.

• Education – cross border planning and working on social inclusion, literacy and early school leaving.

Priority action areas : health inequalities in the North West

• Local government – integrated cross border planning of transport, water and waste, childcare and play facilities.

• Specific actions for vulnerable groups:

– Women living with domestic violence– New mothers and their babies– Lone parent families– Older women– Women and children with disabilities– Traveller women