Planning an achievable strategy for 'Health For All' in the inner city: the development of local targets

Abstract

THE development of a realistic, action-orientated strategy for 'Health For All' in the City and Hackney Health Authority is described. The need to set achievable interim objectives that relate to the pro cess as well as the long-term outcomes is stressed. The advantages and disadvantages of using the World Health Organisation's European strategy and the approach adopted in the United Kingdom by the authors of 'The Nation's Health - A Strategy for the 1990's as a basis for local planning are discussed. The value of using the annual public health report and its epidemiologically determined priorities is empha sised, together with the need to agree a common agenda between participating health agencies. The global WHO approach has been translated into six local priorities, with agreed targets to be achieved for the first four. Progress towards achieving these short- term targets is assessed, and the limitations of local target-setting discussed.