The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care & Sport Committee is holding an inquiry into what can be done about health inequalities. Some variations in health may happen naturally and be unavoidable. However, health inequalities are defined as such when they affect certain groups or people in a way that is unfair and avoidable. Often these differences are shaped by the circumstances in which a person lives, rather than individual behaviours.
The Parliament’s Community & Participation Team are hosting four informal engagement events as part of their scrutiny of the wider determinants of health inequalities. These four online sessions will be focused on the remit of four other parliamentary committees to enable a cross-portfolio approach. They will focus on:
- Social Justice and Social Security (Friday 20 May 10:00-11:30)
- Local Government, Housing and Planning (Friday 20 May 13:00-14:30)
- Economy and Employment (Monday 23 May 10:00-11:30)
- Equalities and Human Rights (Monday 23 May 13:00 – 14:30)
In the context of each theme we would like participants to consider:
- What do you think are the key factors which have negative impact upon people’s health?
- What do you think are the main barriers to people improving their health?
- What change(s) would you like to see which would help improve people’s health?
Voluntary Health Scotland is helping facilitate each of the engagement events and we are looking for expressions of interest from those wanting to take part. We would be grateful if you could contact Kimberley with your expression of interest, including which session you would be most interested in contributing to. There is further information on each session if you click on the engagement event you are most interested in.
Lived Experience
The Participation & Communities Team is also reaching out to organisations who can help facilitate engagement with lived experience groups. If your organisation has a group with particular expertise and experience on any of the four themes please do reach out to Kimberley and she will pass on your details.
If you would like any more information on these events or Voluntary Health Scotland’s involvement and response to the inquiry please reach out to Kimberley.
