New report outlines a strategy to tackle health issues in Scotland, supported by advice from SPS experts
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School of Social and Political Science academics Dr Nason Maani and Professor Jeff Collin contributed to the launch of a new report outlining actions to tackle the key risk factors causing death and ill health in Scotland.
The academics, who work within the Social Policy subject area at SPS, spoke at the recent launch of the report from the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance Scotland, a coalition of 24 health organisations working to reduce the health burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dr Maani also served as an advisor on the report, titled ‘Creating a Healthier Scotland’, which calls for action to change Scotland’s poor health by reducing the impact of health-harming products.
Alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and drink consumption are some of the leading factors of NCDs – including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and lung disease – which significantly impact the health and wellbeing of the population, causing chronic ill-health, disability and premature death.
NCD Alliance Scotland’s new report warns that Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol emergency; a new generation is threatened by addictive nicotine products; and an unhealthy food and drink culture is further fuelled by exploitative marketing tactics.
Consequently, Scotland’s health is in a state of decline, with the country experiencing the lowest life expectancy in Western Europe. The disparity in health outcomes is stark, with life expectancy in the most deprived areas being 25-26 years lower than in the least deprived areas.
The new report sets out a 10-year vision for a healthier Scotland, outlining key principles to protect public health.
The strategy was developed following an 18-month process that has included consultation with an advisory panel of Scottish public health experts and the input of over 60 public health experts from Scotland, the UK and around the world. SPS’ Dr Maani was among the experts to advise on the report.
Dr Maani, Lecturer in Inequalities and Global Health Policy at SPS, said: “It was a pleasure to be part of the event and an advisor to the report’s development. It is truly heartening to see a wide range of civil society actors, with input from children, adolescents and public panels, agreeing that if we want to address the burden of preventable disease in Scotland, we need to break down silos and together address the role played by the manufacturers and marketers of unhealthy products who profit from the status quo. This 10-year strategy is a blueprint for a healthier, fairer Scotland and this initiative is something I hope other coalitions, in other countries, will emulate.”