Recorded at the Fraser of Allander 50th Anniversary Conference, the Technology Innovation Centre, September 19th 2025.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a45p...

Focusing on average outcomes paints a picture of men in Scotland doing relatively well but this obscures a subset of young adult men facing multiple socio-economic challenges who are at high risk of early, preventable deaths.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a45p...

5. The refresh of the national performance framework gives a chance to revisit and agree outcomes to work towards, but also drive a better collaborative approach to delivery.

4. There was recognition that the shift to prevention challenges us to rethink our approaches, and to find ways to bring the public with us. The journey to prevention is hard - there is no “template to make the shift”, but there is a clear need to do so.

3. There was also discussion on the wider work in SHERU, utilising action learning set methodologies within local authorities and the importance of space for cross collaborative working.

2. The panel noted the importance of learning from examples, as emphasised by SHERU on other models demonstrated in Ireland and Iceland.

1. Questions to the panel included how best to respond to policy blind spots, managing the shift to prevention and a challange on bringing wider public engagement to difficult decision-making choices.

(3/3) He highlighted core statistics and evidence of “wasted opportunities” as illustrated in the SHERU research published today and focused on the need to be thinking about good governance, national outcomes, and spending plans.

(2/3) Whilst highlighting the challenging times for us in Scotland we need to do more to recognise and realise the ambitions from the Christie Commission, published 14 years ago(!), around prevention.

You can find out more by accessing the full report here: scothealthequity.org/2025-inequal...

7/7 The report concludes that Scotland has the ambition and expertise to reduce preventable deaths — but doing so will need stronger leadership, better data, and more joined-up government decisions.

6/7 Drawing on approaches from Ireland and Iceland, the report calls for person-centred use of data and long-term, coordinated programmes that intervene well before young adults reach crisis point.

5/7 As identified in the first part of the report - this sits against modest progress in child poverty reduction and income gains. But structural inequalities in housing, education and work continue to shape poor health outcomes across Scotland.

4/7 We identify this group as a policy “blind spot.” Many face insecure work, low qualifications, poor mental health, homelessness, and justice system contact — yet often receive little support until crisis point.

3/7 Drug misuse, alcohol-related harm and suicide made up around 70% of male deaths in these categories in 2023. The burden is greatest in Scotland’s most deprived areas, driving a life expectancy gap of over 13 years.

2/7 Published as a two-part analysis, the report shows that while men on average do relatively well in income and employment, this hides a subgroup of young adult men facing multiple disadvantages and a high risk of preventable deaths.