SCOTLAND does not have enough public health policies designed to prevent specific diseases and conditions, a Holyrood Committee has found.
MSPs on the Health and Sport Committee found that the health service was over-reliant on tackling existing problems rather than preventing them from happening.
Most activity focuses on treating illness in an early stage or preventing the problem becoming worse, according to a report published today.
The report looked at eight specific areas of preventative action, including for Type 2 diabetes, substance misuse, sexual health, detecting cancer early, neurological conditions, optometry services, sport and leisure trusts, and clean air.
On Type 2 diabetes the evidence the committee received suggested a clinical focus on preventing complications and early detection, to the exclusion of primary prevention.
The report noted that an estimated 40% of cancers are attributable to preventable risk factors which could be addressed through behavioural change.
Committee convenor and Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “We’ve all heard the old adage that prevention is better than cure. The preventative agenda – spending money now with the intention of reducing public spend on negative outcomes in the future – is nothing new.
“However, what this inquiry has found is that there simply is not enough activity within Scotland to support this. It is imperative that across all policy areas focus is prioritised on preventing people becoming ill with diseases we know are avoidable.”
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