§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship between health and fitness levels and environmental factors. [93384]
§ Yvette CooperOur new health strategySaving Lives: Our Healthier Nation, published on 6 July 1999, acknowledges that health is affected by a complex interaction of factors including the environment. It recognises the health benefits of a good environment and that factors such as cold, damp housing and poor quality air contribute to health problems including respiratory and cardio-vascular diseases.
Recognising, among other things, the links between poor housing and health, we have made substantial additional resources available for regenerating the worst neighbourhoods, improving social housing stock and combating fuel poverty for groups most vulnerable to cold-related ill health.
We are working through the New Deal for transport to encourage walking and cycling and to reduce pollution from vehicles. We are also promoting Health Action Zones, Healthy Living Centres and National Health Service walk-in centres to promote healthy lifestyles and improve access to community-based health facilities.