This week’s class was all about at risk behaviours and societies, we talked all about the different behaviours that can put people at risk, how society influences these people to put themselves at risk and how society affects these people at risk.  We also looked at the ‘Glasgow Effect’, which is what this blog will focus on.  The ‘Glasgow Effect’ is a paper that explores why equally deprived UK cities experience different health outcomes.  In the study, various groups around the same number in Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool were compared.  The study shows that all three cities show almost identical levels of deprivation, but results in health differing quite vastly.  The results show that all-cause mortality in Glasgow is more than 30% higher in relation to deaths under 65 compared to Manchester and Liverpool, Glasgow was also higher, by 14% in the all deaths category.  Glasgow also has a higher suicide rate and alcohol/drug related death rate compared to the other two cities.  This goes to show that although all three cities have almost identical levels of deprivation, Glasgow has the biggest problem with binge drinking, drug addiction and suicide prevention.  As well as alcohol and drug issues Glasgow and even Scotland as a whole is seen as the unhealthiest country in Europe, we have very poor health habits when it comes to diet and exercise.  We have a love of deep fried food, copious amounts of alcohol and a carefree attitude when it comes to health, these issues may be a major influence in the conclusion of the ‘Glasgow Effect’.

I thought this way before, but after reading through the ‘Glasgow Effect’ I am absolutely certain that Scotland is not as healthy as it should be.  The government are taking precautions and setting new legislations to help the younger generation of Scotland to become healthier, but this positive attitude towards food and drink doesn’t seem to be rubbing off on the adults of Scotland and this needs to change if we are to thrive as a nation!

If you would like to have a read of the ‘Glasgow Effect’ paper, you can find it here.

http://moodle.uws.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/712075/mod_resource/content/1/The%20Glasgow%20Effect.pdf