HEALTH chiefs have given the green light to a significant package of health improvement schemes in North West Lancashire.

The far-reaching plans will touch every aspect of health for people in the Preston, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre areas.

The independence of vulnerable people and the health of the poorest in the areas will be targeted with the plans.

Specifically targeted areas include:

Improving parenting skills to enhance the health of mother and babies.

Improving oral health, especially targeting tooth decay in young children.

Reduce the devastating impact of chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes, chronic airways disease and bone and joint disease.

Achieve local targets for waiting list times.

Improving access to emergency care where needed. Implementing national service frameworks for cancer, coronary heart disease, mental health, older people and diabetes as they are published.

The measures have been approved following a report that shows the overall health of people in North West Lancashire is poorer than most areas in the country.

The average life expectancy for men and women in Preston is 70 and 76.8 years respectively, compared to the county average of 72 and 78.

Among the huge raft of improvements are measures to tackle the underlying social, environmental and behavioural causes of poor health, including poverty, poor housing, unemployment, social exclusion and risks such as smoking.

The health improvement programme also aims to improve the health of young people by attempting to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and drug and alcohol abuse.

Doctor Christopher Harrison, director of public health and policy for North West Lancashire, said: "Many people and organisations have helped produce this health improvement programme.

"They all recognise we need high quality healthcare for those who are ill. But it is the work and investment of organisations outside the NHS that will make the biggest difference to health in the area."