A scheme to erase health inequalities in poorer parts of Bradford is working well, according to a Bradford University report.

Three academics at the university have been evaluating the achievements of the Bradford Health Action Zone (HAZ), which was started in April, 1998.

More than £216 million has been spent on the HAZ nationally, funding about 140 projects in deprived areas of Bradford alone.

Professor Jeff Lucas, one of the report's authors, said: "Findings in the report indicate that the innovative and flexible methods of planning and delivering health and social care services through HAZ funding have enabled the successful targeting and accessing of populations who are at risk of illness and social exclusion. It also highlights lessons learned from the process, including the difficulties posed by tight timescales and short-term funding."

In 1997, the former Bradford Health Authority was ranked as the eighth most deprived in the country, and the most deprived in the North and Yorkshire region.

About 190,000 people in the Bradford district were classed as 'deprived'.

This was reflected by rates of diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and accidents.

The Department of Health set up 26 Health Action Zones to reduce health inequalities, address social exclusion, improve services and get better value from resources.

Bradford's HAZ was started in 14 priority disease areas and in Manningham, Shipley East, Holme Wood and Keighley and was due to last for seven years.

Government-funded initiatives included projects to help people give up smoking, tackle high rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, poor housing, domestic violence and drug misuse.

They included elderly people, those from ethnic minorities and children and young people.

One project tried to address mental health problems through the performing arts, while vegetable co-operative shops were set up to improve diets.

Community involvement was encouraged, with participants reporting that they were given a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence.

Others said that they had a better sense of community and more of an idea of how they 'fitted in'. The academics - Prof Lucas, Dr Janet Henderson and Alison Torn - now say the challenge is to maintain the improvements.