Bradford has a high incidence of heart disease. It is particularly prevalent among the Asian community, where high blood pressure and diabetes are additional problems which can be blamed on a traditional diet high in oil and butter and based on the deep-frying of foods. There is also a reluctance among some Bradford Asians to become involved in exercise activities such as walking groups and swimming sessions.

Malik Muhktar Ahmed, the new Health Living Initiative worker for the Manningham area, comes to the job with a commendable determination to change all that. We wish him well as he embarks on his mission to improve the lifestyle of the people who live in that part of Bradford.

He clearly has some sensible ideas. Brisk walking has long been appreciated to be a major factor in maintaining good health and Mr Ahmed is right to put that high on his agenda. It also makes a lot of sense to set up lessons designed to teach people healthy alternatives to the traditional ways of cooking and eating.

However, while the goals of the initiative are undoubtedly worthwhile it is difficult to assess the ultimate impact of projects of this type. Others have been launched from time to time and often seem to vanish without trace. Yet all of them are funded by public money.

It would be useful if a better monitoring system could be devised to follow up initiatives of this sort say two years later to find out to what extent they are achieving their aims. Admittedly, that would cost still more public money but could result in savings in the long run.