Scotland continues to face major health challenges – can our private sector help? It seems a lot to ask when business growth and profitability are squeezed, but the private sector represents the majority of Scotland’s economy and workforce and it could have a bigger role in driving the change to wellbeing that Scotland needs.

To that sector can be added charities and social enterprises, the third sector. Some of Scotland’s business leaders are already stepping up their focus on employee wellbeing. Can these early movers inspire others to follow?

Private sector employment in Scotland accounts for approximately two million workers, while the third sector employs around 140,000 people. Together, these parts of the economy represent roughly three-quarters of the nation’s total employment, offering huge potential to support wellbeing.

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The linkage of health and work is clearly recognised in Scotland’s 10-year Population Health Framework. As much as 80% of what affects population health happens outside the health and care system. Good work is a key building block of physical and mental health; providing secure incomes, purpose and fulfilment.

The scale of the challenge is sobering. Scotland’s life expectancy, which had been improving steadily for decades, has largely stalled since 2010. Long-term sickness has become the primary reason people are economically inactive in Scotland, with poor mental health and musculoskeletal conditions leading the way.

Recently, the Scottish Fiscal Commission warned explicitly about the burden of disease that lies ahead; projecting that, without intervention, healthcare costs will rise as a proportion of GDP while the productive workforce shrinks.

A recent survey of Scottish employers revealed both progress and persistent........

© Herald Scotland