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Public Health Review

Group to look for solutions to health inequalities

The Scottish Government is to carry out a review of public health services to build on the progress made to tackle health inequalities.

The review was announced by Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, at a speech to the Faculty of Public Health Conference in Aviemore yesterday.

He told the audience that public health policy must reflect the changing face of Scotland. Integration of health and social care, Westminster welfare reforms, and possible new powers for the Scottish parliament should all change the way we view public health policy, he said.

The review will begin in December 2014 and will report its first findings next summer. A review group is currently being established to begin work next month.

Mr Matheson said:

“The great challenge for public health today is how can we be more effective in tackling health inequalities. I want to lay down a challenge to the public health community today.

“How can we take advantage of the opportunities presented by health and social care integration? How can we make better use of community planning and inter-agency working? How can public health make sure the new powers presented to the Scottish Parliament bring about a healthier and fairer Scotland for us all?

“Public health practice is still primarily focussed on prevention of disease and, of course, that work should continue. However, I want to see our efforts directed at a much wider remit, seeking to tackle the health inequalities that continue to plague Scottish society. This review will look at how we can best do that.

“Scotland’s public health professionals and workforce have played a leading role in improving the health of Scotland’s population and making Scotland a world leader in public health. We must build on those successes as we tackle the challenges of the 21st century. The Public Health review will ensure we are in the best possible place to do exactly that.”

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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