Equity in health care is one of the cardinal principles on which the new health strategy is based and it is also one to which the Government is committed in terms of the implementation of the strategy. The health strategy recognises that access to the health service is just one of the determinants of health status. Efforts to improve access must take place in the context of health-supporting public policies in other areas. That is why the strategy proposes the introduction of health impact assessment as part of the public policy. We will seek to ensure that the statements of strategy and business plans of all relevant Government Departments incorporate an explicit commitment to sustaining and improving health status.