1. JOINT FOREWORD
When the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities published Equally Well in June 2008, we agreed to reconvene in 2010 to review progress and to publish a report, including any further action required. The publication of this report responds to that undertaking.
The stark inequalities in health and other social outcomes across Scotland are not just unfair for people who are adversely affected, but also bad for the country as a whole. By holding back those who can and want to make a contribution to Scotland's prosperity, inequalities are a very real barrier to achieving the Scottish Government's purpose of sustainable economic growth.
Equally Well, along with the Early Years Framework and Achieving Our Potential, set out the Scottish Government's and COSLA's shared approach to tackling the major and intractable social problems that have affected Scotland for generations. These three social policy frameworks recognise that children's start in life, cycles of poverty and poor health are interlinked. These are complex problems, involving complex solutions, and which require a long-term approach. So we advocate early intervention, moving from crisis management to prevention and breaking cycles of poor outcomes in people's lives.
The three social policy frameworks share a commitment to tackling inequality and promoting equality. This commitment will receive further impetus through Scottish public bodies implementing the approach to the socio-economic duty within the UK Government's Equality Act, as well as the reporting duties placed on the Scottish Government by the UK Government's Child Poverty Act.
This review has also allowed us to respond to recent changes, most notably the global economic recession. This has the potential to exacerbate inequalities, with the risk of negative impacts of the recession being shared unequally across the population, as well as to increase pressure on public sector resources available to respond to the challenge.
However, what has not changed is our absolute commitment to addressing Scotland's inequalities. We are in no doubt as to the scale of this task, or to the long-term nature of the challenge. It will require consistency, courage and persistence from Scotland's leaders if we are to succeed. We have been encouraged by the enthusiasm with which the linked social policy frameworks have been received. It is vital to maintain that momentum into the immediate future and beyond. We hope that this report will help to do precisely that.
Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport
Councillor Ronnie McColl, COSLA Spokesperson on Health and Wellbeing