"Substantial" Health Inequalities

Substantial health inequalities still exist in Scotland, despite the issue being the priority for successive govenments.

Despite general improvements in the health of the nation, deep-seated inequalities remain between the least and most deprived communities, according to the Audit Scotland publication, Health inequalities in Scotland. 

Men in the most deprived areas typically die 11 years earlier than those in the most affluent, and the gap is 7.5 years for women, the report found. 

People in deprived areas also have higher rates of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, drug and alcohol misuse and poor mental health.