Scotland’s health is improving, but the gap in health outcomes between the most and least advantaged groups in society is widening. We call this gap health inequalities. Voluntary health organisations describe this as ‘getting sick more and dying earlier’ than necessary.
Health inequalities are the ‘systematic differences in the health of people occupying unequal positions in society’. They are strongly associated with socio-economic inequalities but can also result from discrimination. Health inequalities are unfair, not inevitable, and must be tackled.
VHS works with government and stakeholders to support voluntary organisations to understand the causes and impact of health inequalities. We promote our sector’s knowledge and contribution to tackling health inequalities, through events and publications including Living in the Gap, the definitive Scottish study on the voluntary sector’s approach to this.
VHS is Secretariat to the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities. To attend future CPG meetings contact Sarah Latto for more information.
More information on our Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities can be viewed here.
Useful resources
Scottish Parliament – Inquiry into Health Inequalities
Public Health Scotland – Health Inequalities
LIVING IN THE GAP REPORT MARCH 2015
LIVING IN THE GAP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MARCH 2015
LIVING IN THE GAP POSTER JUNE 2015
Related News and Blogs
VHS welcomes incorporation of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
25/07/2024
Last week, the United Nations …
Paul’s Blog: Addressing health inequalities has never been more important
15/07/2024
In celebrating VHS’s 20th anni …
Scottish Parliament Recognition of VHS on our 20th Anniversary
19/06/2024
Voluntary Health Scotland is d …
VHS June e-Newsletter
13/06/2024
The VHS June 2024 e-Newsletter …
Wilma’s Blog: Reflections on Voluntary Health Scotland
12/06/2024
I joined the board of VHS some …
