The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

5156.0: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 3:15 PM

Abstract #41200

U.K. Health Action Zones and the problem of community

Robin Bunton and Paul Crawshaw. School of Social Sciences, University of Teesside, University of Teesside, City Centre, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, 44+1642 342356, r.bunton@tees.ac.uk

Health Actions Zones (HAZs) have been identified as policy initiatives, which reflect the ‘third way’, espoused by the UK New Labour Government. Like other area-based initiatives or zones, HAZs are programmes designed to tackle inequalities and exclusion in some of the UK’s economically deprived areas. These programmes are to be realised through partnerships between, the public and private sectors, the voluntary sector and communities themselves. Community is a central tenet of third way policy and HAZs embrace the concept and attempt to foster community involvement in the process of health improvement and health care ‘modernization,’ drawing on a range of community development models. Drawing upon findings from an ongoing process study into the development of one zone in the North East of England, this paper looks at processes of community involvement within a turbulent period national and local policy environment. It highlights the challenges faced in involving communities in the HAZ process and draws out lessons for future policy research and development and the continued theorising of community.

Learning Objectives: At the outcome of this session participants will be able to

Keywords: Evaluation, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Methodology and Needs Assessment in the Developing World and Abroad

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA