health inequalities

The PHA is fully committed to equal opportunities and this section focuses on our responsibilities as a public body in Northern Ireland.

Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 there is a legal requirement for public authorities to consider the possible impact of all their decisions on nine specified equality categories and also how to promote equality of opportunity and good relations in all areas of our work.

Allotments are being recognised as a catalyst for encouraging sustainability, healthier living and social interaction as well as a resource for local food growing.

Research has shown that contact with the natural environment and green space promotes better physical and mental health, and self-esteem. Allotment schemes themselves are typically low-cost compared to the benefits they bring.

The PHA has taken as one of its building blocks ‘Building sustainable communities’, one of the core themes proposed by Sir Michael Marmot in his 2010 report Fair society, healthy lives. In this report, Marmot advocates that organisations should:

The PHA is committed to partnership working to address health inequalities and improve the health and social wellbeing of the population in Northern Ireland. This includes working in collaboration with the community, voluntary, public, private and academic sectors to address factors that contribute to poverty and ill health, and to ensure a decent standard of living for all.