A new report showcasing the vital role health charities play in reducing health inequalities was launched at the Scottish Parliament.

Living in the Gap is published by Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) and is an impressive summary of the evidence of the health divide between the comfortably off and the poor. But it is hardly revelatory.

It highlights the difference in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of Scotland. It also details the ways in which health charities can make a difference and complement the work of traditional health services.

These include taking a more holistic approach - one example highlighted is the Fife Society for the Blind, which helps those who are vision impaired but also routinely finds itself supporting people with hearing problems, mobility issues or those recovering from a stroke.

Flexibility is another third sector strength, like the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative which tackles nutrition issues, by addressing a range of barriers, such as affordability, food preparation skills, lack of dietary knowledge or inability to budget. And charities can often reach those who don't readily use mainstream services.

The work of a wide range of these loosely-defined health charities is detailed in the report, from Argyll Voluntary Action to youth justice charity Includem, Kincardine and Deeside Befriending to the MS Therapy Centre in Lothian.

"Health inequality is everyone's business" was the catchphrase at the report's Holyrood launch, and minister for Health Improvement Jamie Hepburn praised the voluntary sector for its strengths.

But it feels as if action rather than acknowledgement is what the sector needs.

The potential for a more imaginative use of the third sector in health and social care, for example, has been outlined time and again.

Yet the older people's change fund is soon to run out, leaving many voluntary sector health groups uncertain of the future.

The VHS report is a useful reminder, but its findings are hardly a surprise.

Claire Stevens, Voluntary Health Scotland's chief officer points out "what we find is a varied and committed sector making a difference, including helping families to stay together, reducing self harm and suicide and maximising incomes among

the poorest families.

"However a lot more needs to be done," she says. "The report also finds issues with partnership working between public and voluntary sector and a lack of understanding in the public sector of what the voluntary sector does and what it can offer."

Despite all the polite noises, we should be clear about one thing: There is no excuse for this lack of understanding. If health charities really are to help tackle the health divide, they need consistent reliable backing.