The University of Sunderland is taking the lead in helping to improve the knowledge and skills of public health professionals in the North-East.
Several new courses have been set up at the university to help staff deal with a population with one of the lowest levels of life expectancy in the UK.
The courses, which begin in early 2007, will concentrate on changing health behaviours, health promotion and drug and alcohol abuse.
The University of Sunderland was chosen after extensive research, which included a period of consultation with health trusts in the region, driven by Government White Papers and the Wanless Report, which set out the direction for the future improvement of public health.
Dr Barbara Griffin, senior lecturer in the university’s primary and community care centre, who has developed the courses, explained the wider benefits these courses will have on raising the health levels of those living in the North East.
She said: “Improving the public’s health is a challenge for the North-East, which in comparison to the national average has some of lowest levels of life expectancy and for the size of its population has a significantly higher percentage of people with health related problems.
“A variety of health programmes and health partnerships are already working towards reducing inequalities and developing child and family health. Nevertheless, tackling health improvement requires an investment in staff development.”
Maria Taubman, head of health inequalities at Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: “The local Health Development Unit, within Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust, is pleased to see the University's continued efforts to improve health locally."
Anyone wanting more information or an application pack should contact the university’s helpline on 0191 5153000.