What are the health benefits of engaging with culture, first of all in general terms and then with specific reference to health inequalities? Talking about engaging with culture is a useful way of understanding the opportunity to both access and to participate in culture. For example, … [Read more...] about Margaret’s Blog: What can arts and culture do for health inequalities?
The interplanetary connectedness of public health
This year's Faculty of Public Health Scottish Conference took place over 2nd and 3rd November in Aviemore. It set out to emphasise that health is a basic human right, not a privilege. VHS's Claire Stevens joined forces with Ann Conacher from the Scottish Public Health Nework (ScotPHN) to present a … [Read more...] about The interplanetary connectedness of public health
Sport Matters
In forming the Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS) its founders wanted to create a charity that is all about the F word – Friendship. Sport can breed friendship. From playgrounds to parks, through school into work, across Scotland’s communities and beyond. As we intersect this planet with … [Read more...] about Sport Matters
SISCC’s Blog: Real health delivered through real world research
How do we deliver the ‘best care’ to improve health and social outcomes for the population of Scotland? What do we mean by ‘best care’? Does this look and feel the same for everyone in every town across Scotland? Can a personalised approach deliver consistent and equitable standards of care? … [Read more...] about SISCC’s Blog: Real health delivered through real world research
Third sector voices on the Public Health Oversight Board
Plans are underway to deliver the Scottish Government’s commitments to agree national public health priorities, establish a new national public health body and develop local joint public health partnerships. A strategic Public Health Oversight Board (PHOB) has been established (jointly chaired by … [Read more...] about Third sector voices on the Public Health Oversight Board
A Healthier Future – Action and Ambitions on Diet, Activity and Healthy Weight
The Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities met today, 26th October 2017, to discuss the relationship between health inequalities and obesity. The Group heard from Mona Vaghefian, Public Affairs Officer at Cancer Research UK, who discussed the research surrounding the links … [Read more...] about A Healthier Future – Action and Ambitions on Diet, Activity and Healthy Weight
Lobbying Act – what is going on?
The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016, informally known as the ‘Lobbying Act’ will become officially active on 12 March 2018. Passed in 2016, the Act states that certain face-to-face meetings with MSPs or the Scottish Government’s Ministers, Special Advisers or Permanent Secretary need to be registered … [Read more...] about Lobbying Act – what is going on?
Jim’s Blog: Smoking and Mental Health- A Neglected Epidemic
My Experience of Smoking and Mental Health I’ve come to work for ASH Scotland on the IMPACT Project, which provides important information on the effect of smoking on mental health; information which I, as an experienced Support Worker was unaware of before I came here. My own work experience … [Read more...] about Jim’s Blog: Smoking and Mental Health- A Neglected Epidemic
Obesity and its link to cancer – what do we know, and what can we do?
Many of us will remember a time when it was commonplace to take home the lingering smell of cigarette smoke after spending the evening in a restaurant or pub. Now, thanks to the ban on smoking in public places, clean air is the norm and most of us wouldn’t tolerate sitting in a toxic fog-filled … [Read more...] about Obesity and its link to cancer – what do we know, and what can we do?