A NEW initiative aimed at tackling the “dramatic” differences in health and life expectancy across Scotland will be launched in three council areas this week.

The new Collaboration for Health Equity (CHE) aims to build a “healthier, more equitable Scotland” by addressing the root causes of health inequalities.

Currently, people living in the most deprived parts of the country die, on average, a decade earlier than those in the wealthiest areas.

The collaboration will see councils and health boards in Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire working together with Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of the Institute of Health Equity (IHE) at University College London.

PHS chief executive Paul Johnston said: “The circumstances in which we are born, live and work have a huge impact on the length and quality of our lives.

“People born in the most deprived areas are dying, on average, a decade earlier than their wealthier neighbours.

“It’s possible to change this by taking action across the range of factors that impact on health and wellbeing.”

Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire will each host launch events this week to mark the beginning of the partnerships.