Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

Although temperature variations during the life of this strategy are minimal, effectiveadaptation measures should be identified to reduce the impact of increased summertemperatures of (0.5°c – 2.5°c) by 2010. In urban areas the „Urban Heat IslandEffect‟ will exacerbate the increase in temperatures.Research has demonstrated that the fewest deaths occur in summer with atemperature range of 17°c – 20°c (Fisher, 2009).In the next decade, summer temperatures will increase and those within the wintermonths, this may lead to reduced winter mortality but an increased summer mortalityrate. With temperatures in excess of 20°C increasing coronary heart disease andrespiratory incidents are likely to increase.Other issues of health will relate to an increase in food borne and water bornediseases in warmer weatherFlooding will impact on both physical and mental wellbeing, although summer rainfallis set to reduce, intensity of showers is set to increase. Drier summers will alsoincrease ozone pollution which will have a negative impact on respiratory disease.Within this context, reducing health inequalities, together with recognition of the needfor adaptation strategies to address the impact of climate change at a servicedelivery level are a priority.There are numerous policies derived from government that have aimed to improvethe quality of community environments e.g. New Deal for Communities, Bikeability,The Housing and Regeneration Act, Green Flag Awards and World Class Places.Few of these have examined their impact on reducing health inequalities or reducingthe social gradient. All policies seeking to promote active travel or improve thequality of the environment should also assess their impact on reducing the socialgradient.Dudley as a healthy and sustainable place: what do we know for Dudley?The Climate Change group has been in existence since 2008. The three main areasof work for this group are:Carbon managementResource efficiencyClimate changeThe National Indicator that the group seeks to address is the per capita reduction inCO 2 emissions in the local authority area. Dudley is the lowest in the Black Countryregion and second lowest in the Black Country region. Table 5 shows the targets forreducing carbon emissions in the borough.50