An expert group is being set up to look at how best to tackle the health inequalities "plaguing" Scotland's communities, a Holyrood minister has revealed.

The review of public health services will consider a range of issues including the integration of health and social care, Westminster welfare reforms and possible new powers for the Scottish Parliament.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson announced the review during a speech to the Faculty of Public Health conference in Aviemore yesterday. He said progress had been made but the health gap between rich and poor remained a "great challenge".

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?

Mr Matheson said health practice was still primarily focussed on prevention of disease, and insisted the work should continue.

But he said he wanted to see the government's efforts aimed at the much wider remit of tackling the "health inequalities that continue to plague Scottish society."

He added that Scotland's public health professionals had played a key role in improving the nation's health, adding: "We must build on those successes as we tackle the challenges of the 21st century."

The review group will report back next summer.