The 2008 Sustainable Communities Awards hosted by HSJ and sister title Local Government Chronicle in association with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Communities and Local Government Chronicle are launched today.

The awards' 15 categories include several with a health focus, such as tackling health inequalities, supported by the Department of Health; suppliers creating sustainable communities, supported by NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency; and healthy communities, supported by the Improvement and Development Agency for local government.

New awards include regeneration; community youth initiative; building sustainable communities; improving local environment; and protecting our natural resources.

The awards recognise work around the country to create neighbourhoods people want to live and work in now and in the future.

They target partnerships between the service providers instrumental in delivering this key government policy, as highlighted in Commissioning for Health and Well-being, which called on primary care trusts to work closely with local partners.

To find out more see pages 20-21 in this week's magazine and visit www.scawards.co.uk