PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE

Public Health Initiative

Public Health Initiative

Introduction

Health has a different meaning to different people and the way people define its influences and their response to it. Therefore, it would be wise to have a conceptual definition in which we can translate it into different operational programs, allowing the health programs, the consequences and their causes. Different health services are needed to be identified in order to take decision that can be made about the actions. These actions will be to address the problems and health concerns. Traditionally, health is defined as the freedom from diseases which are diagnosed clinically. The treatment from sickness is important but taking care of health is equally important. The actual concept of health in Ealing is based on social model of health that recognizes the societal, individual and environmental factors that influence well being, quality of life and health. The consensus of 2001 showed that Ealing had a population over 300,000. In terms of population, Ealing is said to be one of the largest PCT in the London borough and the third largest in the country. The majority of the population consists of black people and other minority groups. With such a huge number of populations, there is a requirement for the health services departments to take initiatives in order to enhance the public health facilities. (Walter, 2002, 55-60)

Childhood Obesity

There are highest rates of childhood obesity in Ealing, than the overall national average. In the years 2007/8, the National Child Measurement Program found that in schools in Ealing, more than 21% of children (aged 11) and 10% of reception year children (aged 5) in Year 6 were facing obesity. The occurrence of children being underweight is an important issue in Ealing, with 2.3% of children in Year 6 classed as underweight and 1.9% of children in Reception in 2007-08, above both national averages. (Miller, 2004, 11-18)

Overweight and obesity is used to define fat levels in a body that can lead to ill health. The probability of having life threatening sicknesses such as certain forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and increases as fat levels in body increase above the normal health level. In order to have a healthy weight, people should have the ability to balance the intake of energy from drink and food. Psychological, Genetic, behavioral, environmental and cultural factors, all affect the decisions that we make about how active we are and what should we eat. (Tim, 2004, 100-119)

LAS and Child Obesity

London Ambulance Services are the world's largest free contact of ambulance service. Their main goal is to respond to 999 emergency calls, providing medical care facility to patients across the country, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. They provide other services which include patient transport and searching beds in hospitals for their patients. It responds to different medical emergencies in London, with around 400 ambulances at disposal. (Cornette, 2008, 136-141)

It receives direct funding from government. The London Ambulance Service provides 24 hour accident and emergency response ...