Welsh Government introduces new nutrition programme to combat heart
disease and cancer
A strategy to improve the health of people in Wales through their diet
is being launched by Welsh Assembly Government health and social services
minister Jane Hutt.
(Nutraingredients.com / February 17, 2003) -- Developed by the Food
Standards Agency Wales and the Welsh government, the ‘Food and
Well Being’ strategy outlines the actions required by key players
to improve the overall diet of people in Wales.
The main priority groups are low income and vulnerable consumers – including
the elderly and minority ethnic groups – as well as infants, children
and young people, middle-aged men and women of childbearing age.
Approximately one third of deaths from heart disease and a quarter of
deaths from cancer in the UK can be attributed to poor diet. But the
health of people living in Wales is consistently worse than those living
in England, according to the FSA. In addition to a life expectancy of
two to three years less than the best in Europe, the people of Wales
suffer from substantial inequalities in health, often as a result of
poor diet.
Death rates are highest in areas experiencing the highest levels of
social and economic deprivation, while other vulnerable groups find that
issues beyond economic aspects – such as lack of access, age or
ethnicity – can prevent the adoption of a healthy diet.
‘Food and Well Being – Reducing Inequalities Through a Nutrition
Strategy for Wales’ was launched last week to coincide with the
British Heart Foundation’s Women’s Heart Health Week activities. |
