The Glasgow Effect

The Glasgow Effect refers to the significantly lower life expectancy and poorer health outcomes in deprived areas of Glasgow compared to other parts of Scotland and the UK.

Key points:

• People in deprived communities develop chronic illnesses earlier
• 5 times more alcohol-related deaths in deprived areas than affluent areas
• 100% of the population in Possil live within 500m of a derelict site
• On average, £10 less spent per patient in Possil compared to Bearsden

Vocabulary: Broken window effect - the theory that visible signs of disorder and neglect in a neighborhood encourage further crime and disorder.

The Postcode Lottery and Health Inequalities

The concept of the postcode lottery plays a significant role in understanding health inequalities in the UK. This phenomenon refers to the variation in quality and availability of NHS services based on geographical location.

Definition: The postcode lottery is the idea that where you live can define the quality and availability of NHS services that are accessible to you.

Key statistics and analysis:

1. On average, Scottish citizens live 2 years less compared to English citizens, highlighting the North-South divide.
2. Within Scotland, there's a significant life expectancy gap of 7.3 years between East Renfrewshire (80.7 years) and Glasgow City (73.4 years).
3. Access to fertility treatments varies greatly by region. For instance, NHS Bury offers three IVF cycles for women aged 29-42, while NHS Bromley only offers one cycle for women aged 29-39 after three years of trying to conceive.

The analysis suggests that income plays a crucial role in determining where people can afford to live, which in turn affects their access to healthcare and overall life expectancy. Areas with high levels of poverty tend to have lower life expectancies, indicating that poverty, rather than geography alone, is a key factor in poor health outcomes.

The Glasgow Effect and Health Inequalities

This section focuses on the "Glasgow Effect," a phenomenon where health outcomes in Glasgow are significantly worse than in other comparable cities.

Key points:

1. In deprived communities, people are developing chronic illnesses earlier.
2. Alcohol-related deaths are five times more common in deprived areas than in affluent areas.
3. 100% of the population in Possil (a deprived area in Glasgow) live within 500m of a derelict site.

Vocabulary: The "Broken Window Effect" refers to the idea that visible signs of disorder and neglect in a neighborhood can lead to further deterioration and increased crime.

The analysis suggests that the prevalence of derelict land in areas like Possil contributes to residents being less likely to care for their environment, perpetuating a cycle of deprivation.

Financial disparities in healthcare funding are also noted, with Possil receiving on average £10 less per patient compared to more affluent areas like Bearsden.

Gender Disparities in Health Outcomes

This section examines how gender affects health outcomes and life expectancy in Scotland.

Key statistics and analysis:

1. On average, women in Scotland live 4 years longer than men.
2. Women experience more health issues throughout their lifetime compared to men.
3. Asthma is more common in women (5.7 rate) than in men (4.3 rate).
4. Diabetes is higher in men (8%) compared to women (6%).
5. Alcohol-related deaths in 2017 were higher for males (17 per 100,000) than females (8 per 100,000).

Reasons for lower male life expectancy:

• Men are more likely to engage in risk-taking activities and high-impact sports.
• Men tend to make poorer lifestyle choices, such as consuming more alcohol.
• Men are less likely to visit their GP for preventative care, potentially leading to underreported health issues.

Reasons for higher female life expectancy but higher rates of ill health:

• Women visit their GP more regularly, reporting greater levels of illness but also accessing services more quickly, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
• Women are at an increased risk of poverty, which is strongly linked to poor health outcomes.

Highlight: According to an Oxford University study, women are up to 40% more likely than men to develop mental health conditions, possibly due to increased caring responsibilities or poverty.

The analysis also suggests that women tend to be harsher on themselves in terms of the standards they feel they need to reach, which can result in more negative self-perception and increased vulnerability to mental health issues.