OFFICIALS in the North-East are involved in a major initiative to scrutinise the health of the nation.

Experts at the region's Public Health Observatory (PHO) have joined colleagues from all over the country to collect and analyse data that will be used to plan and improve public health.

PHOs were set up to find meaning in the statistics collected by health and social care professionals.

The Government-commissioned Wanless Report in 2002 highlighted that there was no standard database of reliable information to measure and compare the country's health, which could then help in planning for the future.

The 2004 Government White Paper, Choosing Health, asked PHOs to put that right.

In the biggest project of its kind, a definitive list of 30 indicators has been collated, which will form community health profiles of each of the 387 districts in England.

Indicators include the prevalence of smoking, adult obesity rates, binge drinking, diet and nutrition, education, employment, unfit housing, environment, children living in poverty, crime, life expectancy and mortality, mental health, sexual health, drug treatment, oral health and older people's issues.

Project director Claire Bradford said it was "designed to make people think about their local areas.

"For the first time, people will be able to see the whole picture and we will be able to compare regions and clusters in this country and England with Europe. But it's more than just painting a picture, it's about taking that information forward and using it to plan and take action that affects people."

The community health profiles is due to be published in March.