Public health news: Social determinants of health

With winter approaching and the temperature dropping we continue to talk about the importance of healthy homes and fuel poverty.

Public Health Newsletter: December 2023

The conditions in which we are born, live, work and age are influential on health and wellbeing.

These factors are often known as the social determinants of health and many experts agree that they are more important than health care services in keeping us healthy.

Fuel poverty is being unable to afford to heat a home to the temperature needed to keep warm.

Cold homes can cause or worsen a range of health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, bronchitis, and asthma. Cold homes are also preventing children from thriving.

The healthy homes pilot began in specific postcode areas around Simonside & Rekendyke and Biddick & All Saints wards and is now expanding to include a broader set of postcodes as well as key settings such as Accident & Emergency and Outpatients.

Social Prescribers are working with residents who are at risk because of where they live, their age, underlying medical conditions and / or lifestyle.

These residents are being offered an assessment across a range of areas, then sign posted to the organisations that can best help them. The pilot is being evaluated by Northumbria University.

The support being offered ranges from a simple changing of a light fitting to the installation of a stair lift, to help with their utility bills or their health. Those taking part are welcoming the support before they have a crisis.

Alongside the pilot, a training programme is available for a range of front-line practitioners. To book as an individual or as a team contact who provide a number of Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training opportunities.

It is good to know that as we approach winter there is already a lot of support available, such as: