NHS Lanarkshire’s Public Health Annual Report

That the Parliament notes the publication by NHS Lanarkshire of its Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2009-10; welcomes the reported improvements in the health of the people of South Lanarkshire in terms of life expectancy, coronary heart disease mortality and cancer mortality while noting concern at continued health inequalities that exist between the richest and poorest in communities; further notes the report’s warning regarding dangers to health of the current economic downturn; commends the ongoing work of NHS Lanarkshire, along with partner organisations including South Lanarkshire Council, to tackle health inequalities through initiatives aimed at improving the lives of young people, helping people back into employment, tackling the problems associated with alcohol, drugs and violence, understanding of mental ill-health, tackling big killer diseases and understanding of links between physical environment and health, and urges the Scottish Government to support NHS Lanarkshire and other NHS boards across Scotland to tackle health inequalities.