NEWS 2008

Cross border women's health plan launched

A first ever Cross Border Plan, which describes how 43 partners will work across sectors and across the border for the benefit of socially excluded women within the North West, has been launched. The Levelling Up action plan was launched by Derry Well Woman and on behalf of the cross Border Women's Health Network.

The institute of Public Health in Ireland Senior Policy Officer and report co-author, Dr. Helen McCoy, said: "Levelling Up shows unacceptable levels of poverty in border counties, especially child poverty. The reliance of families in the North West on low-paid jobs in the manufacturing sector is worrying. Geography dictates that building parallel services in the North West makes little sense and makes poor use of existing resources. Promoting social inclusion on a cross-sectoral and cross-border basis is imperative to improve quality of life and the economic and social development of communities in this region."

Those involved are members of the Cross Border Women's Health Network, a cross border partnership of statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations based within the North West of Ireland working together to improve health status and reduce health inequalities.

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