The NHS cannot tackle the health gap between rich and poor
by itself and can only provide a "sticking plaster" for such
inequalities, according to the convener of Holyrood's Health Committee. MSPs on
the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee found that while there had
been "many well-intended initiatives" aimed at reducing the
differences in health between affluent communities and those in deprived areas
"none has made any significant difference". The committee concluded
most causes of health inequalities are "rooted in wider social and income
inequalities"
Committee convener Duncan McNeil said: "That your
income, your education and where you live contribute to how healthy you are is
an issue that as a society should bring us significant shame. Since devolution,
successive governments have made this a political priority and invested
significant amounts of public money in tackling this complex issue. But sadly
none have made any significant difference." He added: "Our NHS can
offer a sticking plaster, but without a new approach we will not tackle the
root causes of inequality and improve the health outcomes of thousands of
people across Scotland."
In their report MSPs said "Despite many well-intended
initiatives, none has made any significant difference. Indeed, although health
is improving, it is doing so less rapidly than in other European countries and
although the latest figures are a little more encouraging, health inequalities
remain persistently wide."
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