VHS has welcomed the launch of a new series of briefings from NHS Health Scotland which will provide evidence-informed recommendations for tackling the inequalities in our society and their impact on people’s health. The first briefing Health Inequalities: What are they? How can they be reduced? explains what health inequalities are, and the action required to reduce health inequalities at a national and a local level. This will be followed next month by a briefing on good work, and subsequently on a regular basis with briefings covering topics including welfare, homelessness, the right to health, prevention and mental health.

Claire Stevens, Chief Officer of Voluntary Health Scotland said:

“Our recent report, Living in the Gap, shows that health inequalities are having a profound impact on individuals, families and communities across Scotland. The gap in health outcomes between the most and least advantaged groups in society is widening.  People who are more disadvantaged, have a lower level of income, with a lower level of education, have greater health problems, have a poorer quality of life, are sicker for longer and die at a younger age than more advantaged groups.  The report concludes that meeting that challenge is everybody’s business – government, the NHS, the third sector and, indeed, the private sector. NHS Health Scotland’s new series of briefings on health inequalities is an important contribution to reducing not only the impact of inequalities but tackling their fundamental causes.”

Chief Executive of NHS Health Scotland, Gerry McLaughlin added:

“We know we share the vision of a Fairer Healthier Scotland with a wide range of stakeholders across Scotland – these new Inequality Briefings provide guidance about what works to reduce health inequalities across a range of policy areas.”

The full briefing Health Inequalities: What are they? How can they be reduced? is available from Thursday 30th July, on www.healthscotland.com

Health Scotland Inequalities Briefing (1)