The Starting Well Health Demonstration Project: The Best Possible Start in Life?

Abstract

Scotland has the worst health in the United Kingdom (PHIS, 2001). In an attempt to contribute to a ‘step-change’ in the health of the nation, the Scottish Executive Health Department (1999) pledged £15 million to support four national health demonstration projects. These projects were established in topics of particular health concern: child health, young people's sexual health, coronary heart disease and cancer. It was envisaged that the projects would contribute to sustained achievements in health by serving as test-beds for innovative practice and as teaching resources for the rest of Scotland. Although designed with individual aims and objectives, these local projects shared a number of key principles, including emphasis on reducing inequalities in health and tackling adverse life circumstances, putting health in a primary position on political, organisational and public agendas, emphasising a holistic social model of health, emphasising communication, partnership working and community engagement, and...