National action plan on neurological conditions: equality impact assessment

The Scope of the EQIA

An EQIA is an important part of the policy making process and applies to both new or revised policies. It helps the Scottish Government to look at how its policies impact on people (positive and negative). In particular, the process identifies the impact of policy on people who share one or more of the protected characteristics.

In making its assessment, the Scottish Government has considered relevant evidence relating to the protected characteristics, as well as the potential impact on health inequalities. Health inequalities are disparities in health outcomes between individuals or groups and arise because of inequalities in society, in the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.

Health inequalities are influenced by a wide range of factors including access to education, employment and good housing; equitable access to healthcare; individuals' circumstances and behaviours, such as their diet and how much they drink, smoke or exercise; and income levels.

The potential impact of the National Action Plan on an individual's human rights has also been considered.

Giving due regard to these factors is also intended to help the Scottish Government to meet its duties under the Fairer Scotland Duty, which requires public bodies to reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socioeconomic disadvantage.