Attached press release from the Health Development Agency in England on a new book

Social capital for Health. Insights from qualitative research. Edited by Catherine Swann and Antony Morgan. Health Development Agency. 2002

Contributions from Catherine Swann, Antony Morgan, Virginia Morrow, Catherine Campbell, Carl MacLean, Judith Sixsmith, Margaret Boneham, Vivk Cattell, Rachel Herring, Mildred Baxter, Fiona Poland.

The book itself can be downloaded at

http://www.hda-online.org.uk/downloads/pdfs/social_capital_complete_jul02.pdf

Best wishes

David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care

HDA Press Release 7th August 2002

http://www.hda-online.org.uk/html/about/press/07082002.html

A new book that examines the use of social capital to improve health and reduce health inequalities has been published by the Health Development Agency. 'Social capital for health: Insights from qualitative research' draws together a range of studies that attempt to assess the relative importance of the concept as it relates to different age groups, gender and ethnic groups. The implications of the research findings for social policy, particularly social policy relating to health behaviours, are discussed. 
Social capital is a concept that recognises that a range of social and community circumstances can influence health-related behaviour, and that an individual's health and well-being can be affected by the way they relate to social networks and communities. Some of the main indicators of social capital include community and civic participation, social relationships and social support, reciprocal activities (eg. child care arrangements) and levels of trust in others. 
The book finds that on the issue of gender, men in the community are reluctant to take responsibility for their health, tending to devolve responsibility for health matters to girlfriends, wives and mothers. It also reports the views of African-Caribbean residents of a deprived multi-ethnic town in the south of England, providing one of the few examinations of the role of ethnic minority status in shaping the ways that people create, sustain and access social capital. 
How social capital relates to children and young people is also explored, by looking at a range of issues including their attitudes to local facilities and social networks. Some of the findings suggest that children and young people should be included when views are sought from communities, as they are often overlooked in this process. This is especially relevant, as this group is frequently perceived as 'the problem' in urban and suburban environments. 
These findings are complemented by a chapter examining relationships between social capital, health and age group through interviews with different generations of East London residents. Their views on subjects including how society has changed over the years and community participation give a picture of what role social capital plays in residents' lives. The book also includes research analysing quantitative surveys that measure social capital and a small study on whether typical social capital survey questions relate to how respondents' view their health. 
Social capital can contribute to reducing health inequalities but it is only one part of an approach to health improvement that must also include measures to raise the absolute income levels and material living standards of the worst off in society. 'Social capital for health: Insights from qualitative research' will be of interest to health, local authority and voluntary sector audiences
Notes to Editors 
1. 'Social capital for health: Insights from qualitative research' is part of the HDA's major programme of research on the use of social capital to improve health and reduce health inequalities (www.social-action.org.uk). The findings from this conference will support the implementation of the range of existing and emerging Government policies and programmes set up to address the determinants of inequalities at national and local level. These include New Deal for Communities, Neighbourhood Renewal, Healthy Living Centres, Local Strategic Partnerships and the Healthy Communities Collaborative.