Inquiry into health inequalities

Overview

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is undertaking an inquiry into health inequalities in Scotland.  

Public Health Scotland define health inequalities as the “avoidable and unjust differences in people’s health across the population.” 

Some variations in health may be naturally occurring and unavoidable. However, health inequalities are defined as such when they affect certain groups in a way that is unfair and avoidable. 

Aims: 

The aim of this inquiry is to explore progress towards tackling health inequalities in Scotland since 2015. It will explore any cross-sectoral work undertaken over that time period to address social inequalities and what impact this has had on health inequalities.  

The single most significant event to have affected individuals since 2015 has been the global COVID-19 pandemic. This inquiry will explore what impacts the pandemic has had on health inequalities and action to address them, both positive and negative. It will seek to sustain and maintain any progress achieved during the pandemic in addressing health inequalities as well as exploring how tackling health inequalities can be prioritised during COVID-19 recovery. 

The inquiry will explore opportunities to reduce health inequalities and increase preventative work to tackle social inequalities before they impact on individuals’ health.  

It will also explore what is needed at a policy level to achieve this and make recommendations for the Scottish Government and other key decision-makers involved in policy development to tackle health inequalities, as well as how third sector, local government and others might best tackle health inequalities. 

How to submit your views

Please submit your views using the online submission form, linked to below.

We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language. 

The call for views closes on 31 March 2022.