Balerno Health Project was set up following a major community consultation in Balerno, Currie and Juniper Green into local health needs and appropriate responses. The report of the consultation, "Currie and Balerno Health Project Final Report", was published in December 2001.

The Balerno Health Project seeks to address issues identified in the report and takes the approach that the promotion of wellness in the area goes beyond the provision of healthcare services alone. It also involves the often-complex interaction between individuals and a wide range of other, social and environmental, factors. The project seeks to develop initiatives to promote both physical and mental health in the area through joined up thinking and interagency working.

Two current examples include: -

This is a constituted non-profit community organisation set up to encourage healthy eating and improve access to affordable fresh fruit and vegetables, through the provision of a weekly food coop. Access to healthy foods in Balerno compares unfavourably with more central areas where fruit and vegetables are widely available. Those without public transport are most disadvantaged, and these include many older people for whom reduced mobility is an additional barrier.

Balerno Paths to Health offers a series of local, graded and sociable doorstep walks to less active people of all ages, using community volunteers as walk leaders. The benefits are intended to go beyond the immediate physical and mental health gains to include more subtle community benefits through the social aspect and by encouraging an interest in local and natural history.