We must increase the focus on equality and human rights – Lucy Mulvagh
COVID-19 has been devastating for many of us, this has been particularly true for disabled people, people with long term conditions and unpaid carers.
We must increase the focus on equality and human rights
Lucy Mulvagh, Director of Policy and Communications – Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
In Scotland, nearly half of all adults live with at least one long term condition and over one million people – around a fifth of the population – define themselves as disabled.
The virus has had a shocking impact – for example, people with learning/intellectual disabilities are over three times more likely to have died from COVID-19 than the general population. Moreover, some of the action taken to address the pandemic has been unduly negative for disabled people, resulting in increased debt and money troubles, food insecurity, and serious disruptions to healthcare and social support – to name just a few. Estimates also suggest that the number of people called upon to provide unpaid care has swelled to over one million.
