Mayor's health board will use sport to tackle child obesity

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The London Health Improvement Board was created by the Mayor and London Councils after a controversy over the coalition's plans to scrap NHS London. The Mayor chairs the body, which is to take over strategic planning on health issues blighting the capital, including obesity.

It emerged this year that obesity rates among children are higher than the national average in 30 out of 32 London boroughs. Mr Johnson last year appealed to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley alongside borough leaders and the NHS for permission to set up the board.

The body will now act to improve the health of London's children through a schools programme, sporting activities and the development of a pan-London strategy to reduce obesity.

It will also attempt to increase the number of Londoners going for bowel cancer screening. Mr Johnson said: "The paramount health problems that we must prioritise are obesity, particularly amongst children, alcoholism and its consequences, and awareness of cancers.

During a time of economic strain, it is more important than ever that we join forces in this unique partnership to achieve more."

NHS London, which oversees 31 Primary Care Trusts and 1,500 family doctor surgeries, is due to be abolished next year under the timetable set out in the NHS and Social Care Bill, leaving London with no city-wide health body.

The Mayor has no direct powers over health but has a statutory duty to publish a health inequalities strategy covering issues such as TB and HIV. Last year he published a paper arguing for greater powers at City Hall, including a health promotion role.

Councillor Colin Barrow, London Councils' executive member for health and adult services, said: "Londoners stand to benefit enormously from having a single body which will focus on driving through health improvements right across the capital."

Ruth Carnall, chief executive of NHS London, said: "The setting up of this board recognises that the health of Londoners is affected not only by NHS care but by social and economic issues."