Scotland health: Most deprived death rates twice as high

Julie Ramsay, Head of Demographic Statistics at National Records of Scotland, said:  “2022 saw the largest year-on-year decrease in drug misuse deaths on record but it was still 3.7 times as high as it was in 2000. 

“People in the most deprived areas were almost 16 times as likely to die from drug misuse as those in the least deprived.” 

The NRS report considers long term life expectancy trends. In the last 40 years, overall life expectancy has improved and people are living longer. However, in the last 10 years improvements have stalled and more recently have started to reverse. 

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The recent fall in life expectancy was mainly due to Covid.

Over the last decade, the high level of drug-related deaths, the increase in deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s and a slow down in the decrease in coronary heart disease deaths contribute to the stall in life expectancy improvements, the NRS said.

The report also shows that there are now more people aged 65 and over than people under 15. This trend is mainly driven by the post-war baby boom generation getting older. But also, by people living longer and fertility in Scotland falling.

Fertility is now at the lowest recorded level and is one of the lowest in Europe. These factors all contribute to Scotland’s ageing population. 

Responding to the new report, Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP, said: “These figures should be a source of shame for the SNP Government. They are full of warm words on supporting our most deprived areas, but the reality is a record of overwhelming failure.

“My thoughts are with all those families across Scotland who are grieving the loss of a loved one. On the SNP’s watch, it is clearer than ever that your life chances are determined by where you grow up, which should never be the case.

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“Nicola Sturgeon admitted she took her eye off the ball on Scotland’s drug death crisis and the devastating consequences of the former First Minister doing so are fully exposed in this report. It is utterly disgraceful that drug death rates are almost 16 times higher in the country’s most deprived areas, which is why we must see the Right to Recovery Bill – backed by frontline experts – made law as soon as possible.

“The picture is similar in relation to alcohol deaths which are at their highest level in 15 years under the SNP and it emerged last winter saw Scotland suffer its highest rate of winter deaths in 30 years.

“This report must be an urgent wake-up call for health secretary Michael Matheson and the SNP Government. They need to get a grip on the public health crisis engulfing our deprived communities in particular, and stop death rates spiralling out of control.”

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “My thoughts and condolences are with all those who have lost a loved one.  

“Scotland’s communities experience health, quality of life and even life expectancy differently across our society. We will continue to work with our partners, including Public Health Scotland and National Records of Scotland, to understand what is needed at a national and regional level to support local, preventative action to drive improvements in population health and to tackle inequalities.

“We are also developing our first delivery plan for our new Dementia Strategy for Scotland and our Heart Disease Action Plan outlines the actions we are taking to minimise preventable heart disease.

“Through our £250 million National Mission on drugs, which has helped support more than 300 grassroots projects, we are doing everything within our powers to tackle drug deaths and the total Drugs and Alcohol budget has increased again to £161.6 million in 2023-24. We will also increase our focus on a whole-government approach.”