Targeting those in need: Baseline data from the first English National Health Service (NHS) Health Trainer Service

Abstract

As part of a wider strategy to reduce health inequalities, England's National Health Service has introduced health trainers (HTs) to facilitate healthier behaviour among disadvantaged groups. This study reports baseline data from the first English HT service: assessing whether the HTs reached socially disadvantaged clients engaging in unhealthy behaviours and describing client belief characteristics relevant to the delivery of the service. Data from 864 clients show that the service reached disadvantaged groups and that those groups were engaging in risky health behaviours. Self-efficacy about changing behaviour was not strong and clients were unlikely to have made explicit behaviour-change plans prior to attending the service. Implications for HT services around targeting those most in need and supporting psychological triggers for change are discussed.

Keywords:

• health trainers
• preventative services
• behaviour change
• health inequalities
• service reach
• disadvantaged groups

Acknowledgements

This project was partly funded by Camden PCT. We are grateful to Camden PCT's Director of Public Health Anthony Kessel and Manager of the Health Promotion Team Sundra Singam for their funding, participation in and support of this research.

Notes

 1. Detailed information about the HTs' educational and employment background was not available to researchers.