Abstract

Health Action Zones have been in the news recently. The authors explain what they are and the opportunities for midwives to get involved. 'Midwives can play a key public health role in targeting vulnerable groups of women'. In April Frank Dobson, the Secretary of State for Health, announced the go-ahead for 11 first wave 'Health Action Zones' (HAZs). The successful bids came from Health Authorities who, in partnership with local authorities, community groups, the voluntary sector and local business, aim to find new ways of tackling health problems through creating 'alliances to achieve change'.