This topic brief provides an overview of some of the issues to consider ahead of the General Election 2024 that are relevant to tackling socioeconomic and related health inequalities in Scotland.
This is part of a programme of work, funded by the Health Foundation as part of its improving health and reducing inequalities in Scotland programme.
We know that people’s living standards are closely aligned to health outcomes, and health inequalities between rich and poor remain wide. This is an issue across the UK but inequalities are more apparent in Scotland.
Health spending will no doubt feature in the election discourse, but this is only one part of the picture when it comes to improving health.
The long-term drivers of poor health relate to our living standards. This has become more acute as the cost of living crisis has exacerbated the already fragile state of many families' finances.