The Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES) brings a new approach north of the border that has previously had success in parts of England and Wales, including improvements in life expectancy.

The approach originated from the work of Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity (IHE), who is now collaborating with Public Health Scotland (PHS) in three Scottish local authority areas.

In South Lanarkshire, the council and Community Planning partners will work with IHE and PHS to strengthen local plans to reduce health inequalities and improve wellbeing in communities. This work will include identifying particular pockets of poverty.

Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “I am delighted that South Lanarkshire was chosen to be one of the three areas involved. We were really keen to be part of this – not just the council but all of our partners too. Because we all could see the potential to make a real difference here in South Lanarkshire.

“It is a chance to use the expertise and experience of Professor Sir Michael Marmot and his colleagues, together with those of Public Health Scotland, to really get into the data and the detail.

“And by doing that we will be much better informed about where the inequality is in our area, what is causing it and, most importantly of all, how we can work together to tackle it. To make a difference. To make lives better.

“If we do it right, this could be a game changer. Not just here in South Lanarkshire and in North Ayrshire and Aberdeen, but across Scotland as all levels of government and all public authorities learn lessons that apply across the board.”

A launch event was held in Hamilton today to mark the beginning of the collaboration. This will serve as a platform to engage with the community, share the vision of the collaboration, and kickstart this ambitious project to build a healthier, more equitable Scotland.

At the event, Professor Sir Michael Marmot said: “We are delighted to launch programmes of work in three places in Scotland. Each place has vital contributions to make in improving the conditions of people’s lives thereby tackling health inequalities within their area.

“This local action will also inform national system leaders about the most effective ways to develop national approaches to tackling health inequalities in Scotland. Put simply, we aim to show that poverty is not destiny.”

Paul Johnston, PHS Chief Executive, added: ““Our mission in Public Health Scotland is to see life expectancy increase and health inequalities reduced. The circumstances in which we are born, live and work have a huge impact on the length and quality of our lives.  People born in the most deprived areas are dying, on average, a decade earlier than their wealthier neighbours.

“We’re looking forward to working and learning together with a determined focus to see improvement in health, wellbeing and life expectancy across Scotland.”