The Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities has been reconvened to examine what still needs done to narrow the health gap between the richest and poorest people in Scotland. The original Taskforce led to the Scottish Government’s social framework Equally Well. Chaired by Public Health Minister Michael Matheson, the Taskforce includes the Chief Medical Officer and other Ministers. Inspiring Scotland’s CEO Andrew Muirhead is a member, as is Professor Carol Tannahill of Glasgow’s Centre for Population Health.

The reconvened Taskforce first met on 29^th November and is expected to report in summer 2013. Read more

VHS members should also note that the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Health Inequalities next meets on 13^th December, chaired by Malcolm Chisholm MSP. The group aims to raise awareness amongst parliamentarians of the causes of health inequalities, to influence legislation amongst policy makers, to promote evidence based actions which reduce health inequalities, and to avoid legislation and policies which will make health inequalities in Scotland worse. For further information, contact Jacqui Forde of The Wellbeing Alliance.