§ Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What plans they have to increase awareness among the general public of the role diet and lifestyle changes can play in improving heart health. [HL3600]
111WA§ Lord Warner:The Government have recently conducted a major consultation exercise on improving public health. The consultation covered a range of lifestyle issues that improves heart health, including diet and physical activity. Response to the consultation exercise will involve the development of a Public Health White Paper, due later this year.
We already have the five-a-day programme, which includes a number of communications initiatives to inform consumers of the benefits of eating a variety of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day for heart health as well as other health benefits. Regarding physical activity, a social marketing campaign to increase exercise is being piloted this summer in the north-east of England. Led by Sport England, the campaign will encourage people to include more physical activity in their daily routine.
The Department of Health also funds a range of non-governmental organisations to increase awareness of the benefits of healthy diet and active lifestyles, including a campaign to make the public aware of the importance of knowing their blood pressure numbers.
Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish the Food and Health Action Plan; and what emphasis they place on improving heart health by (a) reducing salt intake; (b) reducing saturated fat intake; and (c) reducing smoking. [HL3601]
§ Lord Warner:A plan of action for food and health will be launched in the context of the White Paper on public health in the autumn. Reducing population intakes of salt and saturated fat, to improve heart health and bring about health benefits, are a priority for government. One of the three key strands in the NHS implementation plan is to offer a better service for a healthier and fitter population. Details of the public health element of this will be contained in the White Paper. This also builds on the commitment in the NHS Plan to work with the food industry to improve the overall balance of diet including salt, fat and sugar in food, working with the Food Standards Agency.
We also regard reducing smoking as crucial to improving heart health. We have in place a comprehensive tobacco control strategy, designed to have a measurable impact on reducing smoking prevalence.