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Health in Scotland 2002
FOREWORD
Dear First Minister
It is my privilege to present my Annual Report, Health in Scotland 2002.
While the document covers the health and healthcare of all people in Scotland in 2002, the key theme for this year is the health of women and children. The reason for this is simple. The children of Scotland are the future of Scotland and the health and wellbeing of the women of Scotland is a key determinant of that future. The report draws attention to some areas of concern. The evidence is that women in Scotland and, in particular, young women need more incentive and support to take their own health and thus the health of their children seriously. Better women's health is both an individual and national asset and should not be an option or ambition beyond reach.
Action is needed and the Report illustrates the wide range of measures being taken by the Executive, the NHS and by partners in the voluntary sectors and local authorities. I particularly welcome the contributions to this Report from colleagues in COSLA who have provided illustrations of the way that local authorities are working in partnership to improve the health of the people of Scotland. The Report illustrates the importance of working with and through communities and of community planning, community involvement and community commitment in this process. Examples abound in health improvement, in mental health and learning disability services, in services for children and older people and in health protection.
As in previous Reports, I have drawn attention both to the need for major programmes to address Scotland's healthcare problems and to the actions that are being taken. In mental health, for example, I have commented on the work being done to develop mental health services, particularly in liaison services, in child and adolescent mental health, in learning disabilities and in services for people with autism.
The Report also illustrates the important work on building on good evidence to ensure service standards for people with mental illness. I very much welcome the considerable work that has gone on in 2002 in renewing the legislative base for mental health services in line with the needs of people in the 21st century.
The Report provides an update on the major programmes in cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke, in diabetes and a number of other chronic diseases. Infectious disease continues to pose an emerging and, in some cases, a re-emerging threat to Scotland's health in the 21st century. The figures in this report reflect the need for continuing vigilance in this area and underscore the steps we are taking to provide a new focus on health protection for the people of Scotland.
I remain optimistic that Scotland can achieve the step change in health status through an Executive wide commitment to health improvement. Our approach is entirely in line with that advocated by the WHO in its World Health Report for 2002,
Reducing Risks, Promoting Healthy Life. The single greatest of those risks in developed countries like Scotland is tobacco use and I very much welcome the work throughout 2002 which has resulted in the successful passage of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002. In Scotland, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is a robust foundation on which to build further efforts. The momentum of action in tobacco control must be maintained, however, and we must now proceed with the policy planning and development of the next steps in this process.
This Report is the product of many hands and reflects the work of many colleagues throughout the SEHD, NHSScotland and beyond. My grateful thanks go to them all for their energy and support and in particular to Miss Sandra Campbell, the Editor, and my own office team who have carried through the production of this document.
Yours sincerely,
DR E M ARMSTRONG
Chief Medical Officer
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