Strategy aimimg to tackle city’s inequalities
A strategy aiming to reduce deprivation and tackle inequalities in Sunderland during the COVID-19 crisis has been backed by council bosses.
The Sunderland COVID-19 DraftHealthInequalitiesStrategy aims to shine a light on health issues that can put people at increased risk of coronavirus.
According to the report, nearly a third of Sunderland’s overall population (30.6%) are more likely to contract the disease.
This includes 37,956 people aged over 70 and 44,651 of all ages who are in a clinical at-risk group because of their medical conditions.
However, the report recognises that tackling the root causes of health inequalities can not be solved by public health alone – with wider partnership working needed during the recovery from the pandemic.
Cabinet member for Healthy City, Coun Dr Geoff Walker, introduced the draft strategy at a cabinet meeting onTuesday–whichwasbroadcast live on YouTube.
The meeting heard that the impact of COVID-19 has “replicated existing health inequalities and in some cases exacerbated them.”
Coun Dr Walker went on to say: “The strategy aims to raise awarenessoftheimportanceof health inequalities in both the local response and the recovery to Covid-19.
“It also aims to follow the key principles set out in the healthy city plan and use data, intelligence and evidence to systematically understand the natural and unintended consequences that may have widened health inequalities.”
At the meeting, cabinet member for Children, Learning and Skills, Coun Louise Farthing, said the strategy should reference the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on single parents.
“For them I would imagine it has been a great strain to dealwiththeshoppingandeducation, particularly if they’re working from home as well,” she said.
Following cabinet backing, the draft strategy will be discussedbySunderland’sHealth and Wellbeing Board and the council’s relevant scrutiny committee.
To view the strategy , visit: https://www.sunderland. gov.uk/committees/cmis5/ Meetings/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/10231/Committee/1953/ SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx