Health of socially excluded groups: lessons must be applied

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7320.1071

BMJ 2001;323:1071 ( 3 November )

Letters

Health of socially excluded groups: lessons must be applied

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ The editorial by Watt points out that projects targeting socially excluded groups tend to address consequences ratherthan addressing the causative issues.¹ It is often the provisionof evidence of shocking health figures, such as those for childrenlooked after and accommodated by the local authority (in care),that underpins the release of funding.² These initiatives willhave a beneficial effect on the health of the nation only if lessonslearnt from them are applied to mainstreamservices.

In Lothian, funding has been obtained from the Scottish Executive for the residential care health project, targeting childrenand young people in residential units provided by the local authority.By the time a young person enters a residential unit, he or shewill have moved around the care system several times. Only 46%of children looked after continuously for four or more years havespent at least the preceding two . . . [Full text of this article]