Health is an important contributor to community cohesion
People's state of mental and physical health affects their ability and motivation to engage in community activity. When people are fit and well they play a more active part in community activity than when they are ill or depressed.
Jo Farrington, a Public Health specialist for Oldham PCT is part of the North West group. She has commented that:
"A cohesive community is one in which people are strong in their own identities, respect others and are able to tolerate difference. People's sense of identity and self is challenged by ill health, particularly long term chronic problems which involve profound shifts in, or loss of identity. This impinges on their social and emotional relationships.
Physical ill health can restrict movement or sensory participation in the social and economic life of a community.
Mental ill health, including Common Mental Disorders of anxiety and depression, often causes people to withdraw or be fearful of social contact particularly with the unfamiliar. Thoughts and behaviours, such as becoming inward looking and catastrophising can contribute to resentment, fear and anger towards others."
In most areas of Britain where community cohesion is seen as a priority, the lead is taken by Local Government. There are exceptions, particularly in the North West region, but in most areas Health is the sleeping giant of community cohesion and could become a much bigger player. Health services play a big part in most people's lives. The NHS is the biggest employer in the country with almost 1.3 million employees. It has a presence in almost every neighbourhood in the country and it has frequent contact with most of the population. It plays a key role in supporting regeneration of disadvantaged areas through employment, training, procurement and capital programmes. Public surveys repeatedly show that it is highly valued by its users so its potential to contribute to community cohesion is enormous.
The Health service has a proven track record of promoting equality and recognising and responding to diversity. You can bring that strength to Local Strategic Partnerships. A huge strength of the NHS is the way it has embraced equality and diversity values both within its workforce and in making services accessible and responsive to the needs of people from diverse communities. Many PCTs have used Health Equity Audits and Equality Impact Assessments to identify and address different needs and inequalities within their communities. Initiatives like 'Race for health', specific cancer screening programmes for women of Asian origin, organ donation campaigns targeted at particular minority ethnic communities and the Single Equality Scheme Learning sites are great examples of how the NHS excels in this area. This is a strong foundation from which to build your approach to community cohesion.