Public Health Scotland welcomes Health Foundation’s independent review of health inequalities in Scotland

Public Health Scotland (PHS) welcomes the Health Foundation’s announcement of the independent review of health and health inequalities in Scotland.

People in Scotland die earlier than those in other western European countries and those living in our poorest areas die a decade earlier than those in our most affluent areas.

For everyone in Scotland to have the same opportunity to live a long and healthy life, the right foundations need to be in place, such as good quality housing, secure and fairly paid jobs, and accessible, high quality public services.

Claire Sweeney, Director of Place and Wellbeing at PHS, said:

“Poverty is a significant long term problem for people’s health – but not one that cannot be fixed.

"PHS focuses on working with partners to support sustained action at national and local levels to improve long term health and close the gap between the richest and the poorest.

"A robust evidence base, on which decisive actions can be taken is key and we welcome the Health Foundation’s review of health inequalities in Scotland.

"PHS has significant data, intelligence and research in this area and we look forward not only to supporting the review but utilising its outcomes to strengthen our partnership working to create a Scotland where everyone thrives”.

For more information, read the Health Foundation’s full announcement (external website).