Paul Johnston, chief executive of Public Health Scotland, has called for a preventive approach to tackle the decline in the nation’s health.
In an article for the think tank Reform Scotland, Mr Johnston said the life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest was growing. He also called for a preventative approach for older people, warning that the burden of disease from an ageing population is likely to grow.
Mr Johnston said the health service could not deal with the issue alone and wide-ranging improvements around poverty, work, education, housing and other areas were needed.
Improvements in Scottish life expectancy stalled in about 2014 to 2016, and the most recent data showed a decline.
He went on to say said the NHS cannot deal with the issue alone and wide-ranging improvements around poverty, work, education, housing and other areas are needed.
Mr Johnston said: “Excellent health services will support improved health and wellbeing of our population as a whole – but cannot bear all the responsibility for this.
“Tackling poverty impacts on health, as does the availability of good work, high-quality education and childcare, affordable housing, addressing climate change, and tackling racism.”
He called for a “collective focus” on the issue, saying: “People in Scotland now die younger than in any other Western European country. People spend more of their lives in ill health.
“The gap in life expectancy between the poorest and the wealthiest is growing.
“We have seen great progress in the past but, at the moment, Scotland’s health is getting worse.
“We must be bold and brave in the face of the health challenges we face.
“A focus on increasing prevention is increasingly gaining traction and it is important we look to shape these opportunities, particularly in reforming and modernising our public services.”
Read the full article here.
