Tag: deprivation

University hits social diversity recruitment goal three years early

The University of Edinburgh has met a key Scottish Government objective to attract students from the country’s most economically challenged areas, three years ahead of schedule. Continue reading University hits social diversity recruitment goal three years early

One in four Scottish children live in poverty as parents locked out of job market

Ambitious targets to reduce child poverty will stall, warns charity

In its state of the nation report, Poverty in Scotland 2018 (below), the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) warns one in four (230,000) children in Scotland live in poverty. The report comes as Challenge Poverty? Aye we can! gets underway, a campaign by the Poverty Alliance which shows how poverty in Scotland can be solved and allow everyone to take part in society. Continue reading One in four Scottish children live in poverty as parents locked out of job market

Edinburgh Napier launches Dignity Box campaign

Free basic toiletries to be made available to people in areas across Lothian experiencing social deprivation

A campaign being spearheaded by an Edinburgh Napier lecturer will see free toiletries made available to those who need them most across the Lothian region. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier launches Dignity Box campaign

Twice as likely to die early or live with ill health if you live in Scotland’s poorest areas

We’ve known for some time that health inequalities exist, but a new report out today shows the scale of the problem. The NHS Health Scotland study (below) found that people living in the poorest areas have DOUBLE  the rate of illness or early death than people in our wealthiest areas.

sbod2016-deprivation-report-aug18

Nearly a third (32.9%) of early deaths and ill health in Scotland could be avoided if the whole population had the same life circumstances as the people who live in our wealthiest areas.

Our report also shows that early death and illnesses associated with the things that harm our health the most, like drugs, tobacco, poor diet, and alcohol, are more common in the poorest areas than in wealthiest areas.

Dr Diane Stockton, the study lead at NHS Health Scotland said: “The stark inequalities highlighted in our report represent thousands of deaths that didn’t need to happen. Illnesses that people didn’t have to endure, and tragedy for thousands of families in Scotland.

“It does not have to be this way. The fact that people in our wealthiest areas are in better health and that conditions that cause most of the ill health and early death result from things we can change – like illnesses associated with mental wellbeing, diet, drug use and alcohol dependency – shows that it is possible to create a fairer healthier Scotland.

“Our report highlights that to do this, we have to improve the life circumstances of people in our poorest areas and prevent their early death or avoidable ill health. This is about more than encouraging healthy choices. It’s easier to access the things that harm our health in these areas, and so no one type of behaviour change is going to solve this problem on its own. It’s about addressing the environment we live, rest, play, work and learn in so that it supports us to be mentally and physically well. And it’s complex. There is no silver bullet, but, with collective effort for a fairer healthier Scotland, we can help to ensure that everyone in Scotland can enjoy their right to the highest attainable standard of health.”

View the report on the ScotPHO website 

 

 

 

Record number of students from deprived areas heading to University

A record number of students from Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas have successfully gained a place at university according to UCAS statistics published yesterday – the third year in a row a new record has been set. Continue reading Record number of students from deprived areas heading to University

Holyrood’s Education & Skills Committee is coming to Muirhouse

Community Event 16 May:

Attainment/Achievement of children and young people experiencing poverty

The Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee is meeting at Muirhouse Millennium Centre at 6 pm on Wednesday 16th May.  The committee are very keen to hear directly from parents/carers/guardians, young people, teachers, and other professionals who work with young people in schools and in the community with a focus on attainment or achievement. Continue reading Holyrood’s Education & Skills Committee is coming to Muirhouse