Child poverty returning

Researchers from Teesside University's School of Health and Social Care say that despite a steady overall improvement in the health of most people living in the North East of England inequalities of health are on the increase.

The research team, led by Professor of Public Health John Wilkinson and Carolyn Summerbell Reader in Human Nutrition, fear that some children may bear the brunt of these inequalities.

Professor Wilkinson, who also directs the North East Public Health Observatory, said: "There is a growing gap between rich and poor in terms of health."

The Teesside University team, who say they are on a mission to improve the health and well-being of people living in this region, have just been awarded £238,000 out of the university's Research Assessment Exercise funds.

The team, which aims to find ways to help cure the region's poor health record, was initially funded by a £15,000 grant from the Government Office North East.

The extra cash has allowed the team to hire an additional researcher, Lee Thompson, and the unit will concentrate on what more can be done to improve health in the region, particularly diet.

They say it is important that the North-East develops an effective health strategy.

This includes the free school fruit initiative to encourage healthy eating and moves to encourage people to walk more and take up cycling and other forms of exercise.

Cutting out Friday night binge-drinking sessions and maintaining a sensible weight are both high on Prof Wilkinson's agenda for a more healthy North-East.

But some things will require national or international action, such as the levels of employment and the standard of housing in the region as well as moves to encourage supermarkets to stock healthier foods.

Speakers already confirmed include the Chief Medical Officer for England, Dr Liam Donaldson, and the Regional Director of Public Health for Yorkshire and the Humber and Professor Paul Johnstone.