Fenland to tackle heart disease postcode lottery after �100,000 British Heart Foundation reward
AN innovative programme to tackle the UK s heart disease postcode lottery will be developed in Fenland, after the district council was awarded �100,000 from the British Heart Foundation. The money has been allocated to Fenland as part of the heart chari
AN innovative programme to tackle the UK's heart disease 'postcode lottery' will be developed in Fenland, after the district council was awarded �100,000 from the British Heart Foundation.
The money has been allocated to Fenland as part of the heart charity's Hearty Lives programme, which aims to reduce geographical inequalities in heart disease.
In partnership with Cambridgeshire NHS and the BHF, the council will develop a heart health programme suited to the needs of Fenland people.
The partnership will also work with community groups to implement the programme, which will run over the next three years, and could provide a model for local authorities and health services across the country.
Diane Card, BHF Community Development Co-ordinator, said: "Your postcode should be a harmless indicator of where you live, not your odds of an early death from heart disease.
"We want people in Fenland to have the chance to enjoy better lives - to play with their children in the park, or live long enough to enjoy their retirement with family and friends."
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According to research by the BHF, at present women in Fenland have the highest rate of early deaths from coronary heart disease in the East of England. Men have the second highest rate.
Councillor Steve Garratt, the council's Portfolio Holder for Health and Young People, said: "This is an excellent example of the council working with other local partners to reduce health inequalities in the area.
"I look forward to the project making an impact on heart health in Fenland."
Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health at NHS Cambridgeshire, said: "This represents a great opportunity for different organisations to work in partnership together to help promote health and wellbeing in the Fenland area.
