On 21 August 2014, Voluntary Health Scotland, the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum and Support in Mind Scotland jointly delivered the third seminar in the unequal Lives, Unjust Deaths series of events, to consider health inequalities and vulnerable adults.

The event focused on the relationship between social exclusion – through custodial sentences, poverty or homelessness – and poor mental health, long term conditions, disability and shorter life expectancy. It also looked at the third sector contribution to preventing, reducing and undoing these health inequalities.

The seminar received presentations from the following speakers:

Andrew Fraser, NHS Health Scotland – Andrew spoke about the evidence base for tackling health inequalities in vulnerable adults.  He specifically examined what is meant by the term vulnerable adults, the multiple challenges people face in terms of mental, physical, social dimensions to health and what is the most effective in tackling these inequalities. Click here to view the presentation – Andrew Fraser

Tony Rednall, Creating Health Team, Scottish Government – Tony spoke about current and emerging policy and legislation surrounding health inequalities.  This included examination of the Ministerial Task Force on Health inequalities, priority areas for action and the role of the NHS and other organisations in tackling health inequalities. Click here to view the presentation – Tony Rednall

Frances Simpson, Support in Mind – Looking at the links between physical and mental health and the health inequalities attached to serious mental illness, Frances spoke about inequality in society and the need to ensure that broad population-wide measures do not inadvertently marginalise the worst off.  She also examined the need for an integrated physical and mental healthcare model, and the need for a cultural shift to accompany that.

John Porter, National Prisoner Healthcare Network – John spoke about the challenges and opportunities in relation to health services in prison.  He looked at the health profile of prisoners and the wide range of health issues that are often associated with their offending behaviour.   He also detailed the work of the National Prisoner Healthcare Network and examined the results of the 2013 Prisoner Survey.  Click here to view the presentation – John Porter

Read the full report from the event here – Health Inequalities and Vulnerable Adults Event Report – 21 August 2014