A REPORT aimed at improving the health and well-being of people in Sedgefield has been written with professionals and the local communities in mind.

The annual report from Alyson Learmonth, director of public health at Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, has been written to be accessible to all.

It looks at the health needs of vulnerable groups, including travellers, the Chinese community and homeless people.

The group also includes people suffering from domestic violence, children at risk, people with a disability or with low literacy, elderly people and individuals involved in substance misuse.

One section particulary aimed at local people also profiles each area in the borough.

Ms Learmonth said: "People live in villages or towns and that's a very sensible way of thinking about health related issues, rather than thinking about it under headings of diseases.

"I think if we are going to make a real difference, every citizen needs to be thinking about what they can do."

Heart disease and cancer are identified as the biggest killers.

Although they are being tackled and numbers are dropping, there is still a big gap between Sedgefield and the rest of the country.

Copies of the full report, or a smaller leaflet, are available from 0191-301 3820. It will soon be available on the Internet at www.sedgefield-pct.nhs.uk.