Mechanisms by which area-based regeneration programmes might impact on community health: a case study of the new deal for communities initiative.
OBJECTIVE
To explore mechanisms by which area-based regeneration initiatives may impact on health.


METHODS
Case study of the New Deal for Communities programme, part of the UK National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.


RESULTS
Health impacts may result from three mechanisms: sociospatial stigma, community participation and the commissioning of projects designed to change the distribution of determinants of health, including access to services and healthy lifestyles.


CONCLUSIONS
The present UK National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal includes improving health status as one of its key outcome measures. Area-based regeneration schemes such as the New Deal for Communities initiative should, intuitively, bring about health gain through their participatory approach to changing the physical and socio-economic environments. At present, however, the direction and magnitudes of these impacts are not clear.
Parry
J
J
Health Impact Assessment Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. j.m.parry.1@bham.ac.uk
Laburn-Peart
K
K
Orford
J
J
Dalton
S
S
D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D006113:United Kingdom