"A prosperous and
fair society depends on people who are well, with energy,
confidence and optimism."
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"Our position at or
near the top of the international "league
tables" of the major diseases of the developed world
- coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke - is
unacceptable and largely preventable."
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| Chapter
1 Setting
the Scene |
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| Scotland's Health |
| 1. A
prosperous and fair society depends on people who are
well, with energy, confidence and optimism. A healthier
Scotland will benefit us all - as individuals, and in the
families and communities where we live. The Green Paper, Working
Together for a Healthier Scotland, sought views on
the Government's strategy for improving health in
Scotland. Over 800 responses* were received. Roadshows
were held around Scotland to seek local views. The consultation
process revealed how deeply people care about improving
health in Scotland. There was a great desire to reverse
the forces that have kept our health poor, and agreement
that we should no longer tolerate inequalities in health. |
| 2. This
White Paper sets out the Government's vision for
improving health for all in Scotland, building on the
positive reaction to the Green Paper and the suggestions
made during the consultation. It is about investing in
good health, for early health gain and for the longer
term welfare of Scotland in the new millennium. It is
about making a difference to the health and life of the
whole population throughout their lives and about
tackling the health inequalities which currently exist.
Although this strategy has a particular focus on children
- for action in the early years can have an enduring
influence on health - we are equally committed to
enabling those who are growing older to enjoy a full,
healthy and productive life. The new Scottish Parliament
and Executive - with their responsibilities for health -
will have it within their power to help turn vision into
reality and, according to their own priorities, to take
decisions and actions which will help lead to a healthier
Scotland. |
| 3.
Despite real improvements, Scotland's record of
ill-health remains a matter for serious concern and cries
out for concerted action. Our position at or near the top
of international "league tables" of the major
diseases of the developed world - coronary heart disease,
cancer and stroke - is unacceptable and largely
preventable. Good health is more than not being ill:
we need to work on a broad front to improve physical,
mental and social well-being, fitness and quality of
life. The benefits
which accrue will be measured not just in deaths
postponed, but in relief from pain, fear and disablement. |
| 4.
Investment in good health means fostering those things
that generate good health in addition to tackling those
that cause ill health. Scotland's health service is
renowned for its excellence in treating disease. It has
also made strides in immunisation, screening and other
early detection, and exciting new work in public health
genetics could point the way to a new era of disease
prevention. But we still have a mountain to climb in
terms of health inequalities between various groups and
areas. The recent Acheson Report has emphasised the wide
gap between rich and poor in England and has identified
actions to close that gap. The Report has helped inform
this White Paper. Key indicators of positive progress
will include fewer early deaths from heart disease,
cancer and stroke, better recognition of depressive
illness, fewer unwanted teenage pregnancies and improved
dental and oral health. |
| 5. There
are well-charted routes to better health for individual
Scots but no quick and easy solutions for the country as
a whole. Progress requires co-ordination and a lasting
commitment so that new ideas can develop and initiatives
have time to come to fruition. We need to marry theory
with good practice, building on successes, learning from
past failures and utilising the wealth of experience up
and down the country. |
6.
This White Paper does not stand alone. Since May 1997,
this Government have reviewed all of their Scottish
programmes, including their funding. Key documents on
housing, education, crime, social work, social exclusion
and food safety join health in striving for improvements
across the piece in Scotland's safety, prosperity and
well-being. Taking all of these factors into account,
this White Paper will develop:
- a coherent attack
on health inequalities based on a comprehensive
and co-ordinated use of health and other
resources and agencies capable of influencing
health
- a focused
programme of initiatives aimed at improving and
sustaining the health of children and young
people
- major initiatives
aimed at the prevention of Scotland's two major
killing diseases, cancer and coronary heart
disease - each of which accounts for
approximately one-quarter of all deaths.
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| * These
comments can be viewed by request in The Scottish Office
Library, St Andrew's House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG |
