Health Inequality In Scotland A Case Of Moral And Glasgow Council Area

Health Inequality in Scotland 1

Health Inequality in Scotland: A Case of Moral and Glasgow Council Area

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Health Inequality in Scotland 2

Table of Contents

1.0. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3

2.0. Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Compare and contrast 2 local authorities .............................................................................. 3

2.1.1. Glasgow City ................................................................................................................... 4

2.1.2. Moray Council Area........................................................................................................ 5

3.0. Discuss Differences and Similarities in Types of Health Inequalities ........................................ 6

4.0. Differences and Similarities in Prevalence of Health Inequalities ............................................. 7

5.0. Reasons for These Differences .................................................................................................... 8

6.0. Interventions for Addressing Health Inequalities ....................................................................... 9

7.0. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 9

8.0. Bibliography ............................................................................................................................. 10

Health Inequality in Scotland 3

1.0. Introduction

Inequalities arise when there is an imbalance of resources, power, and money. Health

inequalities hence arise due to these wider causes of inequalities. As a result, research

indicates that health inequality can be addressed when social and economic inequalities are

appropriately reduced (The Scottish Government, 2015). Health inequalities arise due to

unfair differences in communities, social groups including the vulnerable groups such as

disabled, racial minority and gender (Craig, 2013). Consequently, health inequalities result to

the poor quality of life, unnecessary deaths, low productivity and poor economic

development. Though significant intervention measures have been put in place to address

health inequalities, the link between social and economic inequalities with health inequalities

must be identified and addressed (Craig, 2013).

For instance, Scotland government produced 2015 report on long-term health

inequalities monitoring. In this report, it was revealed that no significant changes were

experienced in male and female life expectancy inequalities from 2009 to 2010 (Craig, 2013).

However, in 2013-2014, male healthy life expectancy in most deprived regions (10%) in

Scotland was recorded at 48.0%, which is 24.3 years lower in comparison to the least

deprived region which recorded 72.3 years (Craig, 2013). The current analysis will focus on

comparing and contrasting two local authorities’ state of health inequalities, discussion on the

differences and similarities in types and prevalence of health inequalities, reasons for these

differences, and critical analysis on measures to address these inequalities in health.

2.0. Analysis

2.1. Compare and contrast 2 local authorities

In line with the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, the region considered to be

most deprived was Glasgow City (30%) while one of the least deprived local authorities was

Health Inequality in Scotland 4

Moray (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 2017). This analysis will compare and contrast

these two regions on socio-economic factors.

2.1.1. Glasgow City

According to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (2017), data on socio-economic

indicators reveals critical data on Glasgow City performance. For instance, the data reveals

that 65% of the working-age population in the local authority were employed in 2015, which

represented 8% lower than the average in Scotland. However, there is fall in the

underemployment, which was at 12.4% in 2012 and reduced to 8.7% in 2015. As per the

data, the unemployment rate in the region is at 5.9% of working age population, which is

higher than most local authorities in Scotland are. Additionally, less than 30% of the

working age in Glasgow City is economically inactive, again which is higher than the

average in Scotland (World Health Organisation, 2011). Furthermore, ILO unemployment

rate rose from 8.1% to 11.9 % in 2008 and 2012 respectively before later decreasing to 8.5%

in 2016. 27% of households in Glasgow region had no adult who was employed, a figure that

has not changed in the last nine years. Again, this rate is higher than average in Scotland.

The population in Glasgow is as shown in the figure below.

Figure 1: Population Growth in Glasgow

Health Inequality in Scotland 5

Source: (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 2017)

2.1.2. Moray Council Area

Moray Council Area demonstrates significant data that could be used in an assessment

of health inequality status in the region. For instance, male and female life expectancy is at

78.6 years and 81.8 years respectively, an indication that women live longer than their male

counterparts (National Records of Scotland, 2016). It is important to note that this figure life

expectancy (male and female) is higher than the Scottish average. According to the census in

2011, the population in Moray is estimated at 93,300 people. High education level result to

17% of the people being employed in the manufacturing sector, which is higher than the

Scottish average (8%) (Moray Council, 2017). Additionally, more than 85% of the population

in the working age is employed, again which is higher than the Scottish average of 80%.

Employed population in Moray are more skilled than other Population is demonstrating a

decreasing growth rate from 2005 to 2017 as shown in the figure below.

Figure 2: Population Growth Rate in Moray Council Area

Health Inequality in Scotland 6

Source: (Moray Council, 2017)

3.0. Discuss Differences and Similarities in Types of Health Inequalities

Moray Council Area and Glasgow are significantly different in terms of health

inequality. As seen earlier, health inequality report indicates significant data that influence

the health of the population in the two regions (Moray Council, 2017). Both regions have

health inequality, but the Glasgow region has the highest disparity in health due to the

poverty level in the region, which is higher than other regions in Scotland resulting to its

declaration as the most deprived region. Overall health in Scottish population is increasing

improving as marked by declining death rate (The Scottish Government, 2015). The current

research, however, reveals critical data in relation to disparities in health care in Moray and

Glasgow. There is very low employment rate in Moray in comparison to Glasgow,

explaining the poorer health in the population in Glasgow in comparison to a more healthy

population in Moray. As stated in the data above, only 65% of the working-age population

Health Inequality in Scotland 7

was employed in Glasgow by 2015 (Craig, 2013). The rate is higher in Moray where 85% of

the population in the working age is employed.

The gap in employment explains the higher disparity in access to proper health in

Glasgow as compared to the situation in Moray. According to an audit report on Scotland

health titled ‘Health Inequalities in Scotland', there is deeply rooted disparity in health

between Glasgow and Moray local authorities that remain a challenge to equality in the

health care access (NHS Health Scotland, 2015). From this report, the main cause of the

disparity in access to quality health is deprivation that occurs in areas such as gender,

ethnicity, age, and across regions. The Glasgow region from the analysis has low literacy

levels, high poverty index, higher unemployment rate, low household earnings among other

factors that account for poverty in the region (National Records of Scotland, 2016). On the

other hand, a population in Moray experiences low poverty rate (featured in terms of high

employment rate) and high literacy levels, which are both enablers of better health care.

4.0. Differences and Similarities in Prevalence of Health Inequalities

Health disparity prevalence rate can be demonstrated by exploring the data on healthy

life expectancy at birth, mental well-being of adults, birth weight, life expectancy, healthy

birth weight and premature mortality (Craig, 2013). The high prevalence of health inequality

in Glasgow region in comparison with Moray is not unexpected. The first approach to the

prevalence of health inequality is expressed in terms of the population where Glasgow

accounts for 20% of the entire population in Scotland implying a high concentration of

people within the region (The Scottish Government, 2015). This is different in the case of

Moray where even distribution of the population is experienced with better planning and

access to social services. Additionally, Glasgow is featured to have lower socio-economic

performance in comparison with Moray where the majority of the population above 18 years

Health Inequality in Scotland 8

is underemployment. Glasgow’s socio-economic deprivation is so widespread such that it is

extreme in that more than 40% of the most deprived regions in Scotland is in Glasgow (NHS

Health Scotland, 2015). Additionally, 50% of the population in Glasgow lives in deprived

areas with only less than 3% of the population in Moray could be considered as living in

deprived areas (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 2017).

5.0. Reasons for These Differences

A number of factors influence health inequality in the two regions (Moray and Glasgow).

First, education and literacy levels are critical determinants of the health situation in a region

(Craig, 2013). Regions with high literacy and education level tend to experience low

disparity in health in comparison to regions with low literacy and educational levels. Low-

income households experience programs that are passed over to other sectors including

health. Low income is associated with poor nutrition that affects children in their early

development, which could also account for mortality rate (NHS Health Scotland, 2015).

Additionally, deprivation is also a critical contributor to poor social amenities

distribution and location to cater for community health needs. For children diet and health

suffers significantly if their parents do not have enough income to meet their needs (Craig,

2013). Homeless, poor and unemployed members of the community experience poor health

outcomes due to their inability to acquire necessary diet, sanitation and meet their health

consultation needs (Salmi, et al., 2015). The differences in gender, income, disability, social

class, employment and economic environment which determines health disparity in the

community. Socio-economic status is central to the inequality with a life expectancy that is

an indication of inequality in health outcomes (Salmi, et al., 2015).

Health Inequality in Scotland 9

6.0. Interventions for Addressing Health Inequalities

From the analysis, education will play a critical role in addressing health inequality in

Scotland, especially in less developed regions such as Glasgow (Craig, 2013). The primary

areas that could intervene in reducing inequality in health are primary care and social

services, education, specialised or community services, and economic stimulation programs.

Health promotion is key in creating awareness to the community members on the need for

health check-up (Salmi, et al., 2015). In addition, community health facilities must improve

health communication to the community in promoting healthy living in the community by

providing guidelines for better health outcome at household and individual level (Salmi, et

al., 2015). Enhancement and access to educational opportunities could result to better-skilled

employees who are able to earn a higher income to support healthy living in the community.

Education opportunities are key to community enlightened and acquisition of necessary skills

since a more educated community is able to observe high healthcare provision.

7.0. Conclusion

The study has identified the data on the disparity in health for Glasgow and Moray

regions of Scotland that indicates possible causes of health inequality in the region. Moray

region has lower health inequality in comparison to Glasgow, which is considered a highly

deprived region with poor health statistics. The research has identified the socioeconomic

status of the region as the main cause of disparity with Glasgow region being disadvantaged

in comparison to Moral which is more developed in socio-economic environment. The

implication of this study is related to the identification of strategic measures that could lower

disparity in health in Glasgow.

Health Inequality in Scotland 10

8.0. Bibliography

Craig, P., 2013. Health Inequalities Action Framework, Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland.

Moray Council, 2017. Facts and Figures, Elgin, Moray: Moray Council Area.

National Records of Scotland, 2016. Moray Council Area - Demographic Factsheet, s.l.:

National Records of Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 2017. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: Increasing health

inequalities. [Online]

Available at: http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/public-health/the-director-of-

public-health-report/dph-report-2007-08/full-report/4-increasing-health-inequalities/

[Accessed 07 January 2018].

NHS Health Scotland, 2015. Equalities and health inequalities, s.l.: NHS Health Scotland.

Salmi, L. et al., 2015. Interventions addressing health inequalities in European regions: the

AIR project. Health promotion international, 32(3), pp. 430-441.

The Scottish Government, 2015. Long-term Monitoring of Health Inequalities, s.l.: The

Scottish Government.

World Health Organisation, 2011. Behind the “Glasgow effect”. Bulletin of the World Health

Organization, 89(10), pp. 701-776. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/89/10/11-

021011/en/.

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