4. Reducing Inequalities Inequalities have been identified as a recurrent theme by this Needs Assessment. Examples of inequalities and how they affect people can be found throughout this document. This Section specifically tackles the identification and measurement of inequalities. 4.1 What are inequalities? The Equalities Review defined an equal society as one which and promotes “...protects equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish. An equal society recognises different need, people’s situations and goals, and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.” There is a concerted effort across national and local policies to build a more equal society in Scotland by addressing inequalities. The Scottish Government website states that: outcomes are generally improving for most people in Scotland they are not “Although improving fast enough for the poorest and most disadvantaged of our society, nor for those who face barriers because of their race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion or belief” The Equality and Human Rights Commission Research inequalities in Report 61: “Significant Scotland: Identifying significant inequalities and priorities for highlighted 7 areas in action” which significant inequalities exist within Scottish society: Poverty/low income Access to services Employment Education Health Discrimination Targeted violence and safety. Please note: issues around discrimination, access to services, targeted violence and safety are discussed elsewhere in this document (in particular , and ). Inequalities have a significant impact on health and social care issues and can drive ill health and poor wellbeing. Inequalities in education can inhibit ability to access and people’s navigate health and social care services. Inequalities in ability to access services people’s can be affected by geography (such as rurality) and infrastructure (such as public transport links) (see ). health can be affected by inequalities in housing (see ). People’s People’s
4. Reducing Inequalities Inequalities have been identified as a recurrent theme by this Needs Assessment. Examples of inequalities and how they affect people can be found throughout this document. This Section specifically tackles the identification and measurement of inequalities. 4.1 What are inequalities? The Equalities Review defined an equal society as one which “...protects and promotes equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish. An equal society recognises people’s different need, situations and goals, and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.” There is a concerted effort across national and local policies to build a more equal society in Scotland by addressing inequalities. The Scottish Government website states that: “Although outcomes are generally improving for most people in Scotland they are not improving fast enough for the poorest and most disadvantaged of our society, nor for those who face barriers because of their race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion or belief” The Equality and Human Rights Commission Research Report 61: “Significant inequalities in Scotland: Identifying significant inequalities and priorities for action” highlighted 7 areas in which significant inequalities exist within Scottish society: Poverty/low income Access to services Employment Education Health Discrimination Targeted violence and safety. Please note: issues around discrimination, access to services, targeted violence and safety are discussed elsewhere in this document (in particular , and ). Inequalities have a significant impact on health and social care issues and can drive ill health and poor wellbeing. Inequalities in education can inhibit people’s ability to access and navigate health and social care services. Inequalities in people’s ability to access services can be affected by geography (such as rurality) and infrastructure (such as public transport links) (see ). People’s health can be affected by inequalities in housing (see ). People’s
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