Health & Health Equity in all Local Policies (HHEiALP) is the overarching theme for cities participating in the WHO Phase V European Healthy Cities Network. Health in All Policies, as defined in the WHO Global Commission’s report on social determinants is based on a recognition that population health is not just a product of health sector activities, but determined by policies and actions beyond the health sector.

Evidence shows that determinants of health are influenced largely by the actions of other sectors beyond the boundaries of the health sector. These include transport, housing and urban development, the environment, education, agriculture, economic and tax policies.

WHO Phase V Healthy Cities will work to promote the active engagement and collaboration between different sectors to achieve health and health equity outcomes, using the underlying principles and recommendations in the WHO Global Commission’s report, ‘Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health.’

‘Equity from the Start’

Belfast’s overarching goal for Phase V is ‘Equity from the Start: Health & Health Equity in All Local Policies.’(HHEiALP) The approach developed by the Belfast Healthy Cities partnership for HHEiALP in Belfast provides a framework that will enable evidence based informed decision making to improve health and health equity and develop progress.

A key aspect of our framework ‘Equity from the Start’ is highlighting the importance of ‘closing the gap’ in health inequalities among children in Belfast.  This was prioritized by Belfast’s key decision makers at the Phase V workshop in November 2008. We will also be promoting ‘Equity from the Start’ in the development of the many processes and policies, which have the potential to address health equity.