EHA welcomes Public Health White Paper
30 November 2010
The Eye Health Alliance welcomes the publication of the Public Health White Paper today. There are 1.8 million people in the UK living with sight loss, and this figure is set to increase by 115% to nearly 4 million people in 2050, largely due to the ageing population. Much of the high level of avoidable sight loss could be prevented through regular sight-testing.
The Eye Health Alliance is calling on all those involved in public health including the government, GP Consortia, health care professionals and especially Local Authorities with their new public health responsibilities to work together to ensure that everyone in their local community is aware of the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests and early diagnosis to reduce this public health time bomb.
Notes to editors;
The report by Access Economics, 2009, Future Sight Loss is available here http://www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy/page.asp?section=74
For inquiries please contact Heather Marshall on 07595 653 718
