The life expectancy gulf in Scotland’s capital city is now 21 years, experts have said, DOUBLE the previous estimates. Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs says he is “staggered” by Edinburgh’s inequality gap and has urged the SNP government to take action to address poor health in deprived communities.
NHS Lothian has told the Scottish Parliament that a person from the city’s poorest area can expect to live more than two decades short of someone from the wealthiest. Previous estimates put that gap at 11 years, while in England the gulf between the most deprived and richest communities is projected to be between seven and eight years.
Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said the “staggering” evidence showed the severity of inequalities right across the country.
In a submission to Holyrood’s Health Committee at the end of last month, NHS Lothian, Scotland’s second biggest health board, stated: “There are also significant inequalities, meaning people living in the most affluent communities in Lothian can expect to live 21 years longer than people living in the most deprived communities.”
It added that this was occurring despite the overall health of the area improving, and people generally living longer.
The current average life expectancy in Scotland is 77.
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said: “It’s staggering that Scotland’s capital city has such a radical gulf in life expectancy between rich and poor.
“This submission from NHS Lothian suggests that gap is double what is usually referenced as the inequality gap. It shows just how dire a situation people in Scotland’s poorest communities find themselves in.
“After 11 years of failed SNP government the nation’s health inequalities are growing wider and wider. The SNP has power over a range of areas that could help address many of the factors that drive poor health, and it’s about time we saw some meaningful action.”
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