Glaring health inequalities between rich and poor parts of Scotland will not be reduced without a wider range of initiatives, according to a major report published today.

 

MSPs have warned the NHS could not be expected to tackle deep-rooted social and economic problems on its own.

In a damning verdict on the efforts of successive Scottish governments, Holyrood's Health Committee concluded: "Despite many well-intended initiatives, none has made any significant difference."

The cross-party report says millions of pounds spent on campaigns encouraging people to stop smoking, improve their diet and take more exercise had widened health inequalities as middle class Scots were more likely to respond to the messages.

Today's report follows a two year inquiry which included a conference of experts in 2013.

It sets an early test for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who made tackling inequalities her top priority when she took office last November.

The report says the tax and benefits systems - almost entirely reserved to Westminster until the transfer of income tax powers from next year - could be used to redress the gap between rich and poor which lies at the heart of health inequality.

However, it also argues education and housing policies, which are devolved to Holyrood, could be tailored to help tackle the problem.

But in a warning on the limits on government intervention at Holyrood or Westminster, it adds: "Some aspects of inequality are, arguably, by-products of the nature of the globalised systems of production and exchange, over which national legislatures and governments probably have only limited degrees of influence."

Official figures show a boy born today in Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, could expect to live to the age of 82 while eight miles away in Calton, in the East end of Glasgow, average life expectancy for men is just 54.

Health remains worse in Glasgow and the West of Scotland than in comparable post-industrial areas of the UK such as North East or North West of England.

Giving evidence to the committee inquiry, Sir Harry Burns, the former Chief Medical Officer, said for much of the past 160 years, life expectancy in Scotland was on a par with the European average.

It started to fall behind 50 years ago as

the gulf between rich and poor began to widen but, he stressed, there was "nothing intrinsically unhealthy about Scotland or the Scots".

Unveiling the report, Labour's Duncan McNeil, the convener of the health committee, 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: "Often the solution will not be in the health service.

"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."

Bob Doris, the SNP MSP and deputy convener of the committee said: "There is no one size fits all solution to tackle health inequalities either for individuals or communities."

"There has clearly been the political will to tackle health inequalities, and our inquiry heard about ground breaking work going on, for example to help young mums through the Family Nurse Partnership or through the early years collaborative."

"But we need to ensure that the NHS isn't left to pick up the pieces of wider inequalities, such as those being created by UK welfare reform, and that across Government health inequalities remain a priority - not just in health policy."

While unable to tackle health inequalities on its own, the health service has a "key role" to play, the committee concluded.

A government spokesman insisted the nation's health was improving and people were living healthier, longer lives. He added: "Despite our best efforts, health inequalities still exist. This Government is clear that these inequalities are rooted in poverty and income inequality and cannot be solved with health solutions alone.

"In the face of the UK Government's welfare cuts, we are using all the powers at our disposal, and working with all of our partners to tackle poverty and inequality and help people into work. Measures announced in the Programme for Government, coupled with decisive and targeted action to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living, healthy eating and promoting positive mental health, all play their part in tackling health inequalities and delivering a more just society."

"Many people in Scotland are concerned about the welfare policies of the UK government and the implications they could have on them and their families. And that is why we want the necessary powers to develop a Scottish system which provides support for those who need it."