The latest review of Health Trainer Services across England demonstrates significant improvements in individuals engaging in Health Trainer Services across a variety of measures including diet, alcohol consumption and self confidence especially among the most deprived communities.

Analysis of DCRS data from 1 April to 30 September 2013 across England found a reported 57% improvement in fruit and vegetable intake, 53% drop in consumption of fatty foods, reduction of BMI of over 4% and significant improvements in self efficacy and self confidence among individuals.

Tackling health inequalities is a major public health challenge and this report shows Health Trainers can be a key asset. The data shows Health Trainers work with those in the lowest socio-economic communities, these communities are often hard to engage with in respect of health issues therefore this is a huge benefit.

Health Trainer Services actively engage with some of the most important modifiable determinants of health and have been designed to work with individuals as an active participant in their own health behaviour, providing skills and empowering them to become active in pursuing their own health goals.

The report found 56% of 1,000 active Health Trainers were recruited from the most deprived communities, developing a new community-based workforce and a unique local service with opportunity to reduce health inequalities through equipping individuals with the skills and tools to enable them to help their community as Health Trainers.

High immediate success rates were reported with over one quarter of 48000 clients, completing their full Personal Health Plan and significant numbers being provided with further information or signposted to further services.

Long term success was also reported, for example in the most deprived communities 65% were found to have maintained a change in diet and 53% for exercise.

RSPH Chief Executive Shirley Cramer CBE said: “It is evident that Health Trainers and Health Trainer Services is a huge asset in tackling health inequalities across the population. Engaging with people on their own terms, in their own communities and focusing on personal skill development is an effective methodology and we should be ensuring that Health Trainers and Health Champions have the support, training and skills they need to continue their vital work.”