HC Deb 11 July 1988 vol 137 c54W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the achievements of the "Look After Your Heart" campaign.

Mr. Robert G. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the progress of the "Look After Your Heart" campaign.

Mrs. Currie

Since the launch of "Look After Your Heart"—the first major heart disease prevention campaign in England—in April 1987. it has been continuously evaluated to assess its effect. This evaluation shows that during the first year of the campaign knowledge of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease has grown, particularly amongst lower social class groups, where 41 per cent. now know about the risks of a high-fat diet. 43 per cent. are aware of the risk of heart disease through smoking and 51 per cent. know that exercise can help avoid heart disease.

The campaign has been notably successful in securing the active co-operation of industry and commerce. One way has been through a scheme of "healthy living" contracts, which some 75 companies, employing almost 2 million people, have signed. Many more are waiting to do so.

Community activity has been stimulated and supported in 172 health authorities and 65 local authorities, with "Look After Your Heart" community grants funding some 118 projects to the extent of £260,000. It is planned to continue this scheme into the next phase of the campaign, and we are also looking at ways of supporting longer-term projects.

We are now consulting widely on the campaign's longer-term development, including possible further media campaigns in 1988–89 seeking to convince those most at risk to heart disease that "Look After Your Heart" matters to them.