Employers in Scotland urged to share insights on workforce health as healthy life expectancy falls to record low

Engagement activities include 1-2-1s, smaller group meetings and workshops. Employers in Scotland are also being asked to complete a survey, which aims to capture a range of employer perspectives on workforce health. Public Health Scotland says this will help them to understand “the most pressing challenges and actions employers are currently taking to support employee health as well as understanding where support is required.”

The survey results will inform the development of a Scottish Health and Work Action Plan. This plan will likely focus on prevention and early intervention to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce premature mortality. 

St Andrews in Scotland. Photograph: iStock

It comes as new figures show healthy life expectancy in Scotland has fallen to a near ten-year low.

National Records of Scotland show that that in 2021-2023 females could expect to enjoy 60 years of good health and males 59.6 on average at birth. Currently, two-thirds of adults in Scotland carry excess weight, which is a significant contributor to poor health.

Dr Rishma Maini, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health Scotland, called the statistics “deeply concerning”: “We all have a role to play, be it local or national government, third sector, or businesses."

“An important step we can take together is to create an environment where healthy food is available and affordable – wherever we live, work, study and socialise. By taking coordinated action to improve the health of everyone in Scotland, we can help people live longer lives in good health.”

Access the survey here