Voluntary Health Scotland launched a programme of events to address health inequalities across the life course.

Health inequalities are differences in health status and outcomes between different groups of people. People who are living with social, economic, physical, or political disadvantages are more likely to experience ill-health and to die earlier.  People suffering from ill-health in turn have an increased likelihood of staying or becoming disadvantaged because of the multiple ways adverse health affects their lives.

Health inequalities can be apparent from the earliest stage in life and disadvantaged people in Scotland die younger. Addressing the inter-generational factors that risk perpetuating Scotland’s health inequalities is essential. These health inequalities are not inevitable and they can be prevented.

Throughout 2014, we held the following 4 events to examine how the voluntary sector can collaborate to tackle health inequalities.  Each event supported voluntary health organisations to gain a better understanding of health inequalities, to share learning and experience about the interventions that make a difference, and to encourage and support collaboration and partnership between public and voluntary sectors.

1. 13 May 2014 – Health inequalities and the Early Years, in partnership with Children in Scotland – looking at giving children the best start in life from birth: prevention, early intervention themes.  Click here to hear more about the event and to read the report from the day.
2. 24 June 2014 – Health inequalities and transitions, in partnership with the Scottish Transitions Forum – from youth to adulthood, focusing on young people, who for reasons of disability or other social circumstances, face inequalities in the transition from youth to adulthood. Click here to hear more about the event and to read the report from the day.
3. 21 August 2014 – Health inequalities and vulnerable adults In partnership with the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum and Support in Mind Scotland – health outcomes for vulnerable adults with poor mental health, disability or long term conditions, or those involved in the criminal justice system.  Click here to hear more about the event and to read the report from the day
4. 13 October 2014 – Health inequalities and later life, in partnership with Age Scotland – social isolation, poverty, dementia are all added health inequality risks for our elderly citizens. Click here to hear more about the event and to read the report from the day

The information gathered during the events will contribute to our wider health inequalities research and will be presented at a parliamentary event in February 2015 – more details to follow soon.