Partnership working in Aberdeen to tackle health inequalities has been commended in a new report from the Institute of Health Equity.
“A Fairer Healthier Scotland” highlighted work in Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire – part of the Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES) – to recognise the wider factors that affect health.
The report reflects principles developed by Professor Michael Marmot, including giving every child the best start in life and tackling discrimination, to improve health and reduce inequalities.
Councillor Christian Allard, Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said:
“Where people live, their income, housing, education and the opportunities available to them can all have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing.
“In Aberdeen, partners have been working together through Community Planning Aberdeen to better understand inequalities and, importantly, to use that evidence to shape the decisions we make and the services we provide.”
Aberdeen City Council has been working alongside NHS Grampian, other Community Planning Aberdeen partners and communities through the programme, with health equity increasingly reflected in strategic planning and decision-making.
This work has informed both Aberdeen City’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) and Local Housing Strategy.
Councillor Allard said:
“The progress highlighted in this report reflects the strength of partnership working across Aberdeen. By continuing to work together and focusing on the factors that drive inequality, we can continue to improve outcomes for people and communities across the city.”
