Shaping healthy communities: a report on the second symposium on the role of local authorities in reducing health inequalities.

Sheffield City Council achieved Beacon Status for its work on reducing health inequalities in 2007. The Council is hosting a series of three symposiums to promote more effective dialogue and action in this important area of local authority (LA) business. The first symposium - was held on 5th November 2008. This aimed to share an understanding of what works in tackling health inequalities and how, collectively, the region can develop significant and sustainable programmes of work in this area. A report of the symposium was compiled by staff of the Centre for Health and Social Care. The second symposium - was held on 20th July 2009. Its focus was LA practice in tackling health inequality: what are they doing well and where could practice be improved. This document reports from the second symposium.