Once-in-a-generation chance to tackle Scotland’s health inequalities

The Covid-19 pandemic offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in Scotland’s health services and reduce health inequalities, a sweeping new report has found.

A joint commission from the Lancet medical journal and London School of Economics has produced some of the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’S pandemic response so far.

It highlights how population health lags behind that of other high-income countries, and points to low funding, limited socialcareresourcesandhealth inequalities as key factors.

The commission, made up of 33 leading research, policy, management, and clinical experts from the four nations, callsforincreasedtaxestofund thenhs,afocusonrecruitment andretentionofstaff,andbetter integrationbetweenhealthand social care.

Their research highlights inequalities between Scotland and other UK nations, with life expectancy lower in Scotland.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England also have worse oral health and higher rates of oral cancer, which the report attributes to higher rates of deprivation.

Health inequalities are related to politics, history, environment, and services, the commission’s report states, and while the NHS cannot address all underlying societal issues the authors argue it should be able to improve access to services.

The pandemic has highlighted these inequalities, with the greatest effects and highest mortality rates in deprived areas.

Professor Moira Whyte, coauthor and Professor of Respiratorymedicineatedinburgh University, said more must be donetoaddresshealthinequalities in Scotland.

“Health inequalities within Scotland have widened in recent years – with women and men living in the least deprived areas likely to live 17 and 13 years longer in good health, respectively, than those in the most deprived places,” she said.

"There have undoubtedly been some positive developments, including free school meals and work to further integrate health and social care, but we need to do more to tackle the underlying causes that drive health inequalities if Scotland is to fulfil its potential to become a healthier nation.”