A joint statement on prevention: Where are we now for Scotland’s health and wellbeing?
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 9th September 2026
Third sector partnership, including the ALLIANCE, publishes an updated joint statement outlining urgent actions required on prevention.
A year ago, our partnership published a joint statement on prevention, setting out three urgent actions we believe are vital to effectively implement prevention policy for addressing health inequalities and improving health outcomes in Scotland.
Now, as we enter a critical period with a new five-year Programme for Government, this updated statement for 2026 provides an update on current progress against these three actions as we understand it.
This statement has been jointly published by Edinburgh Community Health Forum, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Scottish Community Development Centre (including CHEX), Voluntary Health Scotland, and we are delighted to welcome Volunteer Scotland to this partnership.
Action one: We need a clear definition and understanding of prevention
We have seen important work around prevention carried out over recent months, however, we believe a greater emphasis is required on the central ambition to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
It’s vital we frame prevention in ways that can be applied system-wide – not just as a way to reduce pressure on public services. That means approaches led by and with communities, with a focus on improving Scotland’s health and wellbeing.
Action two: We must put the hard-to-do parts of policy into practice
We continue to urge decision-makers to focus first and foremost on building with, and learning from, existing well-established and high-quality work in and with communities.
That means a focus on co-production and power-sharing; long-term investment in the community and third sector; true transparency and accountability; and collaboration and integration across silos and sectors.
Action three: We need a whole system approach with a properly resourced third sector
Over the last year we have witnessed the closure of many projects and whole organisations upon which so many of our communities depend.
Simply put, we can’t go on like this. We must accelerate long term Fair Funding, enabling sustainable investment in people, services and organisations to help keep their doors open and lights on.
Next steps
Over the coming months, our organisations will each be publishing new resources that provide insights around this critical work.
Read the full updated joint statement below.
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