Figures have shown the stark health inequalities across Scotland's communities
New figures have laid bare the devastating impact of deprivation on heart disease and stroke survival rates.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) has said urgent action is needed to ensure that everyone across Scotland has an equal chance of survival and recovery from a heart condition or a stroke.
The call comes after the latest figures from Information Services Division Scotland highlight the stark inequalities across Scotland’s communities, with mortality rates for both heart disease and stroke significantly higher in the most deprived areas.
Those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland have a death rate from heart disease that is six times higher than those living in the least deprived areas.
The study also showed the mortality rate for cerebrovascular disease in the most deprived areas was 36% higher than in the least deprived areas in 2017.
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive of CHSS, said more needs to be done to help Scots live life to the full.
She said: “It’s incredibly concerning to see that deprivation still has such a strong influence on someone’s survival. We also know that it affects people’s access to vital services.
“Our recent One in Five survey revealed that people in our poorest communities found it harder to access the support they need, and are less likely to receive rehabilitation.
“Together we need to step up our work on prevention to stop these diseases in their tracks. The Scottish Government also need to commit to a universal and equal right to rehab that reaches every community in Scotland.
“That means ending the variation in access to NHS rehab services across the country, joining them up with community groups, investing in the right staff and making sure that everyone has access to a specialist nurse for as long as they need them.”
The figures also highlight that survival rates following stroke continue to rise and that people are living longer with coronary heart disease which the charity says will further increase demand for rehabilitation support.
