SNP ‘not doing enough to close the health gap’

Plea after poverty is linked to illness

ONLY one in four Scots thinks ministers are doing enough to tackle health inequality, a report published today shows.

The vast majority think those living in better-off areas are healthier than those in poorer areas, researchers found.

Asked if the Government is doing enough to tackle health inequality, only 24 per cent said Yes, while 50 per cent said No and 23 per cent did not know.

When she became First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon promised a ‘sharp focus’ on inequality.

Susan Reid, research director of social research institute ScotCen, which carried out the study for NHS Health Scotland, said: ‘Today’s findings illustrate the vast majority of Scots believe that poverty is related to having poorer health and overwhelmingly perceive the income gap as too large.

‘Although there are marked differences in attitudes between social groups when it comes to views on potential causes of these inequalities, we also observe common ground and shared goals.

‘Most Scots would like government to focus on improving the status quo and there is considerable support for increasing taxes as part of that.’

Half of Scots believe injustice in society is behind some people having poorer health than others. Some 51 per cent agreed with the statement that ‘certain people’s health is worse than others because of injustice in our society’.

A total of 72 per cent believed that people in better-off areas tend to be healthier than those

‘Unacceptable and unsustainable’

in worse-off areas, while more than two-thirds, 67 per cent, thought people’s health is worse because they are poor.

The report found 71 per cent of respondents felt those with more money were better able to live healthy lives.

A majority, 58 per cent, said they would be willing to pay higher taxes to improve the health of poorer people north of the Border. Those on the Left of the political spectrum were almost twice as likely to do so as those on the Right.

Two-thirds (67 per cent) agreed that ‘large differences in people’s incomes are unfair’, while 17 per cent disagreed.

Scottish Labour inequality spokesman Elaine Smith said: ‘This report shows the majority of people accept that health inequalities in our society are driven by wealth inequalities.

‘The top 1 per cent own almost as much wealth as the bottom 50 per cent. That is unacceptable and unsustainable.

‘Scotland can only be a healthier country if it is a fairer country. Labour is the only party with a comprehensive range of policies to tackle poverty.’

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: ‘Tackling inequality is crucial to improving the health of many people.

‘Later this week we will be jointly launching, with Cosla, Scotland’s public health priorities, setting out our ambition for Scotland’s public, third sector and private organisations, working with communities, to tackle inequality and Scotland’s key public health challenges.

‘We will follow this with strategies and action plans for specific areas, such diet, physical activity and substance misuse.’