The Mayor Welcomes 2012 Health Boost For London

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 29 Apr 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Mayor Boris Johnson pledged to help Londoners reap the long-term health benefits of the 2012 Olympic Games today at the first meeting of the re-launched London Health Commission. The Mayor has prioritised health in the capital by strengthening the work of the commission, the body which bring together key organisations across the capital to champion health.

Following Boris's appointment of Mary O'Connor as Chair, the Commission has pledged to target:

- The health legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Mental health and alcohol abuse
- Ensuring health is included on all assessments of mayoral strategies
- Improving access to health and other public services through language support

The Mayor is set to publish for consultation his health inequality strategy this summer, which will look at preventative ways to help all Londoners stay healthy.

The Mayor said "I pledged to get serious with London's health and today's newly re-launched commission is a major step in achieving this goal. My office will work in partnership with the commission to make sure health is a major consideration in everything we do, from affordable housing, to skills training, youth work and economic recovery plans.

"I am particularly concerned about the soaring levels of childhood obesity. It saddens me that one in five children in some of London's most deprived boroughs are clinically obese. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense for the commission to focus on the Olympics during their first meeting. 2012 is a unique opportunity to improve well-being and reduce health inequalities but more needs to be done to encourage participation in sports, and promote healthier lifestyles. Simple things like walking and cycling instead of driving can make a tremendous difference.

"I also want a greater focus on mental health issues and additional help for rough sleepers who visit casualty departments repeatedly to be patched up and put back on the street. It is essential that service providers work together to ensure the homeless have access to all services; treating people and putting them back on the streets leads to a vicious cycle of destruction.

"I'm very encouraged by the impressive array of new talent on the board of the commission and I look forward to working closely with them on real health improvements for all Londoners. "

Mary O'Connor said, "The 2012 Games presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to make London a healthier city. I am confident that the commission's leadership will bring new impetus for working together and will maximize the health benefits of London hosting the Olympic Games.

"I've ensured that we have the right people round the table to get to grips with the health issues that are important to Londoners. I'm confident that the strengthened London Health Commission can build on successes to date like the Big Smoke Debate and achieve even greater things. I thank the Mayor for his continued support and look forward to working with him and all London Health Commission partners."

Notes

1. The London Health Commission (LHC) brings together organisations from across the city to work towards improving Londoners' health and reducing health inequalities.

2. The Mayor has a duty to produce a Health inequality report and has a strong interest in preventative health care but has no powers or authority for health service provision.

3. For more information on the work of the London Health Commission including the Well London programme visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/lhc

4. LHC board members:

- Chairman: Councillor Mary O'Connor, Chairman
- Vice Chairman: Dr Simon Tanner, Regional Director of Public Health, NHS London
- John Biggs, London Assembly
- Pamela Chesters, Adviser to the Mayor on Health and Youth opportunities
- Catherine Crawford, Chief Executive, Metropolitan Police Authority
- Niall Dickson, Chief Executive, The King's Fund
- Michèle Dix, Managing Director, Planning, Transport for London
- Cllr Mike Freer, Leader, London Borough of Barnet and London Councils' Executive Portfolio Holder, Health and Adult Services
- Sally Gorham, London PCTs Policy Forum
- Chris Hayes, Regional Director, Government Office for London
- Laurie Heselden, Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer, South East Region Trades Union Congress
- Professor Patricia Hughes, Chair, Healthcare Education Group, London Higher
- Marian Larragy, Chair, Third Sector Alliance, London Voluntary Service Council
- David Peters, Vice President, London First
- Peter Rogers, Chief Executive, London Development Agency
- Sir Richard Sykes, Chair, NHS London
- Alan Wood, Chair, Association of London Directors of Children's' Services

5. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and his Sports Commissioner, Kate Hoey, will outline their plans to increase grass roots sport participation and access to sporting opportunities across London on Tuesday 28th April. For more information email economicdesk@london.gov.uk

Source
The London Health Commission

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