REDUCING obesity rates and the high levels of tooth decay in children are among the top priorities of the Department of Health in the next five years.
The health strategy lists the following as priority targets for 2010 to 2015:
*Decrease the level of smoking in high-risk groups
* Increase breastfeeding rates
* Reduce death rates from coronary heart disease in people under 75
* Reduce death rates from cancer in people under 75
* Increase uptake of influenza immunisation in people over 65 and those in 'at risk' groups
* Reduce obesity rates among children
* Reduce child poverty or risk of child poverty
* Ensure that all schools achieve excellent 'healthy futures' status
* Reduce the death rates from accidents (from 2007 levels)
* Encourage access to services for pregnancy in primary care before nine weeks
* Improve sexual health, and introduce Chlamydia screening
* Reduce high levels of tooth decay in children
* Reduce suicide rates (from 2003 levels) in young males
* Provide easily accessible non-drug treatment for depression in primary care
Also see: Vision for health services published
