Improving Scotland’s Health: 2021 and Beyond Cross-Party Group

The Improving Scotland's Health cross-party group brings MSPs, academics and campaigners together to improve Scotland's public health. The purpose of the group is:

To take a solutions-oriented focus on how to improve the health of the people of Scotland by reducing the health harms caused by alcohol, tobacco, poor diet and obesity and
To join up knowledge and learning, and to identify positive ways forward, with a range of stakeholders committed to improving public health and to preventing and reducing non-communicable diseases for the next generation.

In its work, the group follows these principles:

Public health: population measures are most effective and cost-effective

Rights: people have a right to health and wellbeing

Prevention: avoid harm rather than treat symptoms

Inequalities: reduce impacts on the most disadvantaged

Aspirational: make a difference for the next generation

Evidence: use best evidence & theories of change

Impartial: free of commercial or vested interest

Action: identify and take practical steps