Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Health inequalities
Background
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee undertook an inquiry into health inequalities in Scotland.
Public Health Scotland define health inequalities as the “avoidable and unjust differences in people’s health across the population.”
Some variations in health may be naturally occurring and unavoidable. However, health inequalities are defined as such when they affect certain groups in a way that is unfair and avoidable.
Aims
This inquiry explored:
• progress towards tackling health inequalities in Scotland since 2015
• any cross-sectoral work undertaken over that time period to address social inequalities
• what impact any work undertaken has had on health inequalities
• opportunities to reduce health inequalities and increase preventative work to tackle social inequalities before they impact on individuals’ health
• what is needed at a policy level to improve the situation, making recommendations for the Scottish Government and other key decision-makers involved in policy development
• how third sector, local government and others might also help tackle health inequalities
In addition, this inquiry explored what positive and negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on health inequalities and action to address them. It will seek to sustain and maintain any progress achieved during the pandemic in addressing health inequalities as well as exploring how tackling health inequalities can be prioritised during COVID-19 recovery.
Engagement
Oral Evidence
24 May:
The Committee took evidence from—
David Finch, Assistant Director, Healthy Lives Directorate, The Health Foundation;
Gerry McCartney, Professor of Wellbeing Economy, University of Glasgow;
Claire Stevens, Chief Executive, Voluntary Health Scotland;
David Walsh, Public Health Programme Manager, Glasgow Centre for Population Health.
Committee Papers
Papers for the meeting on 24 May 2022
Minute for the meeting on 24 May 2022
31 May:
The Committee took evidence from—
Dr Ima Jackson, Scottish Migrant Ethnic Health Research Strategy (SMEHRS) Group
Ed Pybus, Policy and Parliamentary Officer, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland
Bill Scott, Chair, Poverty and Inequality Commission
Claire Sweeney, Director of Place and Wellbeing, Public Health Scotland
Gill Bhatti, Employee and Diversity Manager, South Lanarkshire Council
Danny Boyle, BEMIS Scotland Senior Parliamentary and Policy Officer and National Coordinator of the EMNRN, BEMIS and Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network
Emma Fyvie, Senior Manager (Development), Clackmannanshire Council
Dr Gillian Purdon, Head of Nutrition, Science and Policy, Food Standards Scotland
Committee Papers
Papers for the meeting on 31 May 2022
Minute for the meeting on 31 May 2022
14 June:
The Committee took evidence from—
Toni Groundwater, Head of External Engagement, Families Outside
Karen Lewis, Manager, The Hub, Dumfries and Galloway
Richard Meade, Director, Carers Scotland
Dr Sharon Wright, Professor, University of Glasgow
Committee Papers
Papers for the meeting on 14 June 2022
Minutes for the meeting on 14 June 2022
21 June:
The Committee took evidence from—
Dr Peter Cawston, GP Principal, and a member of GPs at the Deep End
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology, University College London
Dr Shari McDaid, Head of Evidence and Impact (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Mental Health Foundation
Professor Petra Meier, Director, UKPRP-funded SIPHER Consortium
Committee papers
Papers for the meeting on 21 June 2022
Minutes for the meeting on 21 June 2022
28 June:
The Committee took evidence from—
Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport, Scottish Government
Michael Kellet, Director, Population Health, Scottish Government
Committee papers
Papers for the meeting on 28 June 2022
Minute for the meeting on 28 June 2022
Your views
The call for views closed on 11 February 2022.
Read the summary of responses. (190KB, pdf) posted 27 July 2022
Report
The Committee published its report on 28 September 2022.
The Scottish Government response can be found in the Correspondence section.
The Parliament debated the report on 14 December.