Supporting people to lead longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives will be at the heart of two new ten-year plans to create and maintain good health, prevent disease and reform health and social care services.

The Population Health Framework aims to tackle the root causes of poor health and outlines a wide range of actions, including giving greater access to green spaces and opportunities for sport and active recreation. It recognises that health and wellbeing is shaped not just by individual choices but by the environments in which people live.

Addressing these underlying factors can increase life expectancy, reduce the gap between the most deprived communities and the national average and prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease which disproportionately affect those in more disadvantaged areas.

Promotions of food or drink which is high in fat, sugar or salt will be restricted to support healthier choices, as an early action under the Population Health Framework. Those such as multibuy offers or placement at checkouts, which influence shoppers’ choices, are to be restricted in businesses with 50 or more employees. This will align with the policy in England and Wales, with regulations introduced to the Scottish Parliament this autumn.

The Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework aims to ensure health and social care services are sustainable, efficient, high quality, and accessible – which includes being able to expect faster and fairer access to care. It empowers people to be more involved in and in charge of their own care and includes measures to improve access to treatment in the community; enhance preventative services and maximise the opportunities which digital innovation brings. The frameworks will be implemented jointly with COSLA and build on the Operational Improvement Plan – launched in March - which sets out measures to improve access to treatment and lower waiting times.

Health Secretary Neil Gray visited Blackburn Partnership Centre in West Lothian with COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly before launching the frameworks in the Scottish Parliament. The centre includes a GP practice and community centre which promotes weight loss and healthy living through exercise and low-cost, nutritious food.

Mr Neil Gray said:

“Too many lives are cut short in Scotland because of illness that is preventable. We know health is not determined solely by what happens within the walls of hospitals or care homes and we want to create an environment in which everyone can live a healthy life. Through action on early years, jobs, income and building powerful communities the Population Health Framework builds the conditions to help people thrive and prevent poor health.

“Around two thirds of adults are overweight or obese - addressing this and helping people eat well and maintain a healthy weight is a public health priority. We are taking wide-ranging action to support people to make healthier food choices, recognising the contribution which poor diet makes to worsening health trends.

“Through the Service Renewal Framework we will take action to deliver care closer to home, support people to better manage their own treatment and build on innovation, digital and treatment advances. This will help shape an efficient health and social care system that is focused on prevention and early intervention, and delivers high quality care at the right time in the right place.

“Refocusing the whole system towards preventing ill-health from occurring or escalating can help us to deliver a sustainable National Health Service. I am determined to ensure the measures outlined are delivered effectively and as quickly as possible as we work to transform the health of the nation.”

Councillor Paul Kelly commented:

“Health is created in the communities in which we live, go to school or work, and access essential services. It is at the local level where we find the key levers to tackle the root causes of health problems and ensure people live long, healthy and fulfilling lives. Local Authorities, working with key partners, are uniquely placed to shape our communities.

"The Population Health Framework sets out action across every building block of health. Committing to this preventative approach requires whole system working in order to intervene as early as possible and provide support to people in all aspects of their life.

"Currently, people from deprived communities have less access to affordable, nutritious food. The Population Health Framework sets out a priority to improve the food environment and ensure access to a healthy, balanced diet is accessible and affordable to all.

"Alongside this, Local Government is committed to improving public services across the whole system, and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework sets out our high level ambition for improving the sustainability of the system and services people may need in order to help them live healthier, fulfilled lives."

Further Information

Read the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework here.

Read the Population Health Framework here  and Sector Summary for Local Government here.

Read about restriction on promotion of food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt here.