Glasgow Centre for Population Health
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thegcph.bsky.social
Glasgow Centre for Population Health
@thegcph.bsky.social
1K followers 570 following 130 posts
Generating insights and evidence and supporting new approaches to improve health and tackle inequality.

monthly e-update: gcph.co.uk/eupdate
Posts Replies Media Videos
thegcph.bsky.social
▶️GCPH's Chris Harkins attended the @palliativescot.bsky.social
Conference today & spoke about the potential of AI within public health & healthcare in Scotland

▶️ Read Chris' earlier AI report here: gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...
Cover of AI report and first presentation slide
November 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Part 2
During the pandemic racialized minority groups were hit harder by COVID 19 The pandemic made it clear that racism is not separate to health but sits at its core, shaping risks, resilience and outcomes Thanks for reading.
November 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣 New Concept Explainer!

Our most recent in the series looks at racism as a fundamental driver of health inequalities, influencing susceptibility to illness, the quality of healthcare received, and access to essential resources among racialised minority groups.
🔽
Racism as a determinant of health Racism is widely acknowledged as a fundamental driver of health inequalities Racism can be experienced in many ways It also affects the care people receive
November 3, 2025 at 3:56 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Some key facts from our new Glasgow City Ethnicity Profile, published today gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...

#HDRCGlasgow
@glasgowcc.bsky.social
@nihr.bsky.social
Infographic of key facts from Glasgow City Ethnicity Profile
October 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣 Our new Glasgow City Ethnicity Profile is published today 🔽 gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...

#HDRCGlasgow, @glasgowcc.bsky.social
@nihr.bsky.social
Quote saying "Overall, evidence points to racialised health inequalities and greater vulnerability to long term conditions... Despite these challenges, Glasgow’s diversity is also a source of resilience, innovation and strength, enriching the city socially, economically and culturally"
October 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
If you want to learn more about poverty in Glasgow, check out ‘Poverty and wealth’ in our Understanding Glasgow website #ChallengePoverty #CPW25 www.understandingglasgow.com/glasgow-indi...
Inforgraphic on poverty and wealth in Glasgow, available from www.understandingglasgow.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Warm homes are a basic necessity, and yet over a third of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty. #ChallengePoverty #CPW25
Did you know that in Scotland in 2023, 861,000 households (34% of all households) were estimated to be in fuel poverty of which 491,000 (19.4% of all households) were in extreme fuel poverty. Source: Scottish House Conditions Survey 2023
October 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
The Power of communities is one of 6 comics produced by CommonHealth Assets' Lived Experience Panel – another example of best practice when it comes to investing in communities. #CPW25 Read more: www.gcph.co.uk/our-work/25-...
Page of the comic book titled 'The Power of Community'. You can find videos of the six comic books being read out loud here: https://www.gcph.co.uk/latest/publications/1231-our-voices-community-impact-in-action
October 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Poverty and disadvantage often intersect with ethnicity, shaping stark inequalities in health outcomes for racialised minority communities. Effectively #ChallengingPoverty demands a better investment in communities (Day 4 #CPW25).
Test saying: "Did you know? People from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds are 60% more likely to live in the most-deprived areas of Scotland than their White Scottish/British counterparts."
October 9, 2025 at 8:57 AM
thegcph.bsky.social
New Concept Explainer! For #ChallengePoverty week, we look at poverty as a public health emergency. People in poverty face higher risks of disease, disability, and premature death, simply because of where they live and what they earn. #CPW25
Download it here: www.gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...
Page 1 of concept explainer: Poverty is more than a social issue - it is a public health emergency. It strips people of the basic conditions needed to live well, leading to poorer physical and mental health that can persist across generations. People living in poverty face higher risks of disease, disability, and premature death, simply because of where they live and what they earn. Health inequalities don't happen by chance, they are a direct result of unfair and avoidable social and economic injustices. While access to healthcare should be universal, poverty can make it hard to reach. Cost, lack of transport, and limited internet access mean those who need care most often struggle to get it. When life is a constant struggle, people often turn to unhealthy ways of coping just to get by and survive. Poverty drives depression, stress, isolation, poor eating habits, limited access to safe outdoor space and, for some, a reliance on substances. This isn't a choice, it's a response to despair and a lack of options. If we want to improve public health and reduce health inequalities, we must take the impact of poverty seriously. Tackling its root causes is not optional, it's the starting point for building a fairer and healthier society.
October 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Removing barriers faced by some communities in accessing employment is crucial to help tackle poverty. Racialised minorities are overrepresented in low-pay sectors and underrepresented in the public sector, as seen in this CRER report: static1.squarespace.com/static/615c1... #CPW25
Quote saying: " Did you know? Just 2.8% of Scotland's public sector workforce identify as belonging to a Black and minority ethnic group, despite making up 5.8% of the working-age population."
October 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Day 2 of #CPW25, and today’s theme focusses on the importance of better jobs, pay, hours and conditions in order to tackle poverty. Did you know that the majority of adults and children living in poverty in Scotland live in a working household? www.understandingglasgow.com/glasgow-indi...
Quote saying: " Did you know? In Scotland in 2019-22, 57% of working-age adults in poverty and 69% of children in poverty lived in a working household."
October 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
thegcph.bsky.social
An inadequate Social Security, especially in situations like the cost-of-living crisis, can have a damaging impact on the lives, health, and wellbeing of society's most vulnerable people, as seen is this report #CPW25 : www.gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...
Quote saying: “I feel that as a disabled person I have no choice over basic things, no sense of control. I was anxious before COVID but that has spiralled and some days I just can’t function. I don’t feel safe and feel in a heightened state of anxiety most of the time, now worrying about how I can make ends meet day to day.”
October 6, 2025 at 12:21 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
For day 1 of Challenge Poverty Week (theme: Social Security), we re-share this important report that demonstrates the consequences of policies that do not protect the most vulnerable from the potential harms of the cost-of-living crisis. #CPW25
www.gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...
Quote from the report 'The Impact of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people: a case for action' (2023) that says: “In this cost-of-living crisis I feel the guillotine above my head all the time, I feel it so vividly. Things [finances] were always tight before, and even through COVID, but this is different, I can’t get by, everything is so much more expensive, so much more, I have no room to move. It feels like you are condemned to a joyless life being disabled in this crisis.”
October 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
thegcph.bsky.social
Important in public health history is @uofgshw.bsky.social's James McCune Smith, the first African American to obtain a medical degree. He had a long career as a respected medical doctor, writer, civil rights advocate & welfare campaigner for patients at Glasgow's infamous Lock hospital #BHM25
Portrait of James McCune Smith & Quote: McCune Smith’s legacy is a reminder of the importance of representation in medicine and public health. His advocacy for patient welfare and social justice remains relevant today, as certain communities continue to face barriers to accessing equitable healthcare and are underrepresented in medical leadership and research.
October 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
thegcph.bsky.social
👀If you missed the webinar, have a look at this recording of 'NHSGGC Healthy Weight Support Across the Life Course', which shares what is available, how to refer or signpost to this support & the difference that these supports make.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iStc...
Image of people taking part in food related activities, alongside the Good Food For All and NHS GGC logos.
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
New blog!
#BlackHistoryMonth 2025: what can be learned from Glasgow’s 850th anniversary?

#BMH25 coincides with Glasgow’s 850th anniversary & invites reflection on the city’s complex history & the public health lessons we can learn from it. 🔽

gcph.co.uk/latest/news-...
"Acknowledging this past is not just about justice – it’s a public health imperative. We cannot address health disparities without confronting the historical and ongoing impact of racism."
October 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣We are pleased to share, as part of GCPH's #cashfirst work, some new learning/training events on:

🥘Food insecurity and people seeking asylum: Understanding the barriers to accessing food

📅8th & 22nd October in Govan (& online in November)

Sign up at: shorturl.at/EyXh4
Flyer for event
September 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣New Concept Explainer! (In light of tomorrow's
RCA Trust Gambling Harms Summit)

Problem gambling is increasingly recognised as a structural, societal issue & deprived communities have heightened vulnerability to gambling-related social harm.

Link: gcph.co.uk/latest/publi...
Problem gambling is characterised by a loss of control and the continuation of gambling behaviour despite clear financial, emotional and psychological harm. Public health professionals increasingly recognise it not as a personal issue or weakness, but as a structural and societal issue with wide reaching consequences. Evidence supports that betting companies disproportionately target deprived communities, where poverty and financial insecurity heighten vulnerability to gambling-related harm, creating cycles of debt, stress, and social harm Young men are particularly at risk, with research and evidence indicating high levels of problem gambling within this group. This vulnerability is heightened by peer pressure, aggressive advertising strategies, and the 24/7 availability of online platforms. The evidence base on problem gambling is growing but, in the past, many studies were paid for by betting companies - raising concerns about how ethical, trustworthy and reliable they are. Independent research is vital to understand the harm gambling can cause today, to create better support and prevention systems, and to help protect public health
September 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
✨For this week's Doors Open Festival see our specially curated audio tour with @gbptrust.bsky.social & G15 Youth Project!

Learn about Glasgow's health history & explore the innovative & imaginative solutions that shaped wellbeing in the city over time 🔽
www.doorsopendays.org.uk/regions/glas...
Image for flyer for the audio tour
September 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣New Concept Explainer!

Fundamental Causes Theory (FCT) looks at the deeper causes of health inequalities and highlights how systems of privilege and disadvantage shape who stays healthy and who does not.

See more on FCT from this morning's seminar: bsky.app/profile/theg...
Health inequalities (HIs) mean that people who live in disadvantaged areas have poorer health and die younger than those who live in wealthier areas. Some approaches for tackling health inequalities focus on things like smoking, diet, or exercise. But Fundamental Cause Theory (FCT) suggests the real issues lie deeper, in the social conditions that shape people’s lives. FCT looks at the deeper causes of HIs – the “fundamental” ones – which are inequalities in wealth, income, and power. It highlights how systems of privilege and disadvantage shape who stays healthy and who does not. FCT shifts the health inequalities narratives from individuals and their health behaviours to examining the wider structures – economic, political and social – that create unfair and avoidable differences in health. Tackling inequalities in income, wealth, and power is difficult in practice and requires political and economic commitment and reforms, that are slow and sometimes resisted. FCT challenges us to design policies and interventions that reduce these HIs at their roots, while also limiting the damage they cause in people’s lives today.
September 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
Today GCPH, Mhairi MacKenzie & @uofglasgow.bsky.social colleagues hosted profs Bruce Link & Jo Phelan's talk on Fundamental Causes Theory (FCT).

Kat Smith then chaired a stimulating discussion on how FCT can be used address health inequalities & steer action.

📝Concept explainer & blog to follow...
Prof Bruce Link describing Fundamental Causes Theory Kat Smith from University of Strathclyde chairing the panel
September 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
We were delighted to host some fantastic young people from G15 Youth Project last week!

G15 YP kindly volunteered to narrate our new audio tour 'Pioneering the Health of the City' for #Glasgow850 and Glasgow Doors Open Days 2025.

More info via DoD website:
www.doorsopendays.org.uk/regions/glas...
Members of G15 Youth Project
September 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣 We are delighted to announce that GCPH & partners including @yunuscentregcu.bsky.social are commencing work on a new Community Wealth Building study to see if retaining more wealth in local communities can prevent premature deaths and tackle health inequalities. 🔽

www.gcph.co.uk/latest/news-...
Illustration of people in a community, along with workers and a £ sign to indicate the role of Community Wealth Building
September 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
thegcph.bsky.social
📣New e-update!
We are pleased to share our August e-update which highlights our recent work, publications and collaborations:
enewsletters.tictocfamily.com/t/r-e-tkmuyd...
GCPH August e-update
September 1, 2025 at 11:19 AM