29th January 2019 by
New figures have laid bare the devastating impact of deprivation on heart disease and stroke survival rates.
Chest
Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) has said urgent action is needed to
ensure that everyone across Scotland has an equal chance of survival and
recovery(and that would be 100% recovery, right?) from a heart condition or a stroke.
The call comes
after the latest figures from Information Services Division Scotland
highlight the stark inequalities across Scotland’s communities, with
mortality rates for both heart disease and stroke significantly higher
in the most deprived areas.
Those living in the most deprived
areas of Scotland have a death rate from heart disease that is six times
higher than those living in the least deprived areas.
The
study also showed the mortality rate for cerebrovascular disease in the
most deprived areas was 36% higher than in the least deprived areas in
2017.
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive of CHSS, said more needs to be done to help Scots live life to the full.
She
said: “It’s incredibly concerning to see that deprivation still has
such a strong influence on someone’s survival. We also know that it
affects people’s access to vital services.
“Our recent One in Five
survey revealed that people in our poorest communities found it harder
to access the support they need, and are less likely to receive
rehabilitation.
“Together we need to step up our work on
prevention to stop these diseases in their tracks. The Scottish
Government also need to commit to a universal and equal right to rehab
that reaches every community in Scotland.
“That means ending the
variation in access to NHS rehab services across the country, joining
them up with community groups, investing in the right staff and making
sure that everyone has access to a specialist nurse for as long as they
need them.”
The figures also highlight that survival rates
following stroke continue to rise and that people are living longer with
coronary heart disease which the charity says will further increase
demand for rehabilitation support.
Read more at http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/deprivation-fuels-risk-of-heart-attacks-and-strokes#KuDlbmHOg0AAR0zV.99
Gareth Jones
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