MSPS discover lack of public health policies to prevent illness

There are not enough public health policies designed to prevent illness, a Holyrood committee has found.

MSPS on the health and sport committee found that the health service was over-reliant on tackling existing problems rather than preventing them from happening.

Most activity focuses on treating illness in an early stage or preventing the problem becoming worse, according to a report published today.

The report looked at eight specific areas of preventative action including for Type 2 diabetes, substance misuse, cancer detection, neurological conditions, optometry services, sexual health, sport and leisure trusts and clean air.

On Type 2 diabetes the evidence the committee received suggested a clinical focus on preventing complications and early detection, described as secondary and tertiary prevention, to the exclusion of primary prevention.

Committee convener Lewis Macdonald said: “We’ve all heard the old adage that prevention is better than cure. The preventative agenda – spending money now with the intention of reducing public spend on negative outcomes in the future – is nothing new.

“However, what this inquiry has found is that there simply not enough activity within Scotland to support this.

“It is imperative that across all policy areas focus is prioritised on preventing people becoming ill with diseases we know are avoidable.

“By doing this we can also start reducing health inequality and whilst the health service can’t fix everything, it must play its role in tackling this fundamental issue.”

The report noted that an estimated 40% of cancers are attributable to preventable risk factors which could be addressed through behavioural change.

On detecting cancer early, the study found that there is a lack of urgency or incentive within health boards to meet the targets in relation to cancer treatment.

The committee is asking the government when it expects each health board to meet the 62-day target which covers the period from referral through diagnostics to treatment, and the separate 31-day target covering the period from diagnosis to treatment.