HEALTHY TRANSPORT IN A MARMOT CITY
Introduction
Results
• Coventry was chosen as a Marmot city, to tackle health inequalities and differences in life expectancy across the city. The Marmot Review identified Policy Objective E to ‘Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities’ which recommends active travel is improved across the social gradient.1 • Cycling interventions often lead to relatively healthy people becoming healthier, resulting in a widening of the health gap. This means that it is no longer enough to just persuade more people to cycle. We have to find ways of reaching out to those most affected by health inequalities. • A Public health practitioner with expertise in the wider determinants of health worked closely with transport colleagues to formulate the project and work towards the reduction of health inequalities in Coventry. • Recent figures show that males living in the least deprived parts of Coventry can expect to live 11.2 years longer than those living in the most deprived, 2 and females 8.6 years.
To ensure effective monitoring, participation data is collected, and mapped to ensure that the target communities are reached. • Over 32km of cycle routes have been created in the north and south west of the city. • The project engaged with businesses, education providers and communities along the routes. • A personalised travel planning project has targeted 12,000 households in the most deprived area of Coventry, where recipients can access cycling support such as training, maintenance classes and rides in their local area. This method proves effective at reaching those most in need of improving their lifestyle. • 1,050 extra cycle training sessions have been completed since May 2013 (in addition to Bikeability courses in schools) as well as 601 cycle maintenance sessions. • Indoor cycle training was arranged during the winter months. • A new GP referral scheme was developed to provide cycle training on prescription. • Coventry’s Ring Road was closed on 10th August 2013 for a mass cycle ride.
Method • The Cycle Coventry project is a 3 year project (launched in 2012) which aims to reduce health inequalities by improving facilities for cyclists and pedestrians by targeting areas of higher deprivation and greatest health need. • Investing more than £6 million to create a network of cycle facilities linking residential areas with jobs, education and local services. • Additional funding from public health provided extra support in schools in more deprived areas.
Angela Hands - Public Health Practitioner, Public Health Team, Coventry City Council Email:
[email protected] Richard Smith - Cycle Coventry Smarter Choices Coordinator, Coventry City Council Email:
[email protected]
Conclusion The early involvement of public health was key to identifying which communities would benefit from such interventions. Consequently we have forged strong links and found that adopting a collaborative approach can be used to tackle health inequalities.
References 1. Marmot M. Fair Society, Healthy Lives: A Strategic Review of Inequalities in England. London. University College London, 2010. 2. Public Health England (2013) Slope index of inequality at birth within English local authorities based on local deprivation deciles within each area, 2010 – 2012. Public Health Outcomes Framework 0.2ii http://www.phoutcomes.info/Documents/West_Midlands_SIIs_2010-2012.pdf
