Glasgow has long been dubbed the sick city of Europe, with some of the most appalling health figures in the UK. The former Glasgow Shettleston parliamentary constituency was singled out recently as the first area in the UK to record a drop in life expectancy – the first time such a drop has seen in 50 years.
People in Glasgow are 20 per cent more likely to die of cancer than the Scottish average, which itself is poor by western European standards. It is a challenge Glasgow City Council is tackling head-on.
In the last decade, the city has introduced a programme designed to tackle poverty, social exclusion and ill-health. In particular, the council is investing resources in targeting young people through early intervention initiatives to support children and families.
Providing free fruit in schools, free swimming for under-18s, and initiatives designed to improve educational attainment, the city is attempting to break down the vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health.
Award-winning initiatives such as the Fuel Zone programme of healthy school meals is a remarkable success. “Long before Jamie Oliver turned the problem into a national issue, Glasgow was throwing out its unhealthy options and turning children on to better food and better health,” said Cllr Stephen Purcell, the new leader of Glasgow City Council. “Pre-school breakfast clubs are a huge success, giving children the chance to learn on a full stomach. Indeed, before 1996 when fuel zones were introduced, 32 per cent of pupils ate school meals – by last year, that figure had risen to 76 per cent.
“Between 1996 and 2004 the number of pupils choosing healthier options has doubled from 30 per cent to 60 per cent – that represents real success and confirms a trend which we hope will leave more of the next generation fit for life.” He added: “No longer will Glasgow be dubbed the sick man of Europe.”
Glasgow’s £240m PPP programme with school builder and operator 3ED has delivered 29 new and/or refurbished secondary schools, complete with state-of-the-art ICT. The council is taking the process further, investing over £125m in a series of pre-12 campuses to ensure the next generation of Glaswegians are equipped for study and work. Fergus Chambers, the council’s Direct and Care chief, spearheaded the Fuel Zone initiative. “We’ve received global recognition for our approach to delivering healthy school meals,” he said.
“One of our biggest successes has been a reward initiative, whereby children gain points for choosing a healthy alternative. In return they can save their points toward treats such as cinema tickets, or even an I-pod or X-Box console.”
The programme is reaping huge rewards at a minimal cost. The council cooks up 65 million meals for children each year – but the cost of the incentive scheme is less than £20,000 – paid for by the Scottish Executive’s Hungry for Success initiative.
