Speaking as a new commission aimed at addressing Glasgow’s health challenges met for the first time, Purcell said that he sees the commission as the starting block for a major push against health inequalities in the city.

Cllr Purcell said: "I believe that winning the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games has presented us with the best chance in a generation to raise the aspiration of every Glaswegian and improve their lives. I have given a commitment that I want everyone in the city to benefit from the legacy of the Games and that includes improved health for all.
 
"It has been long recognised that the root causes of poor health and health inequalities lie beyond the scope of health services alone. They include such issues as employment, transport, housing, the environment, leisure and education and the aspirations of our citizens.
 
"This commission will look at all of these factors and come back with recommendations for the major partners in Glasgow."
 
The commission will be chaired by Professor Pamela Gillies, principal, Glasgow Caledonian University, with other members including: Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of Public Health, NHS GGC; Professor Carol Tannanhill, director, Glasgow Centre for Population Health; Graham Robertson, chief executive, NHS Health Scotland; former Labour spin doctor now corporate affairs manager for Tesco Tony McElroy and the athlete Lee McConnell.
 
Prof Gillies said: "We recognise that a serious and focussed attempt to tackle the inequalities in health that have been prevalent and resistant to change for far too many years will need wide-ranging solutions that address some of the social factors that impact on health.
 
"The Health Commission will therefore fully engage with key figures in education, health, leisure, business, and voluntary and community organisations.”

She said the members of the commission include individuals with “real influence on the ground” who she said will act as “champions” in taking forward the development and implementation of their recommendations.
 
She continued: "The challenge for the Health Commission will be to pull together the wealth of evidence about health inequalities to make recommendations for real actions for immediate improvements in the health and wellbeing of the people of Glasgow. It will also seek to make recommendations for investment in changes with a longer term impact on the quality of life of people in local communities.
 
"The Health Commission will seek evidence from a broad range of sources, and will learn from nations and cities around the world where positive action has seen a transformation in public health in less than a generation."
 
Dr de Caestecker, added:  "I am looking forward to working with the Commission to support all the work already going on to improve Glasgow's health. 
 
"The members come from a wide range of backgrounds with different types of expertise and I hope they will provide new perspectives on health and disadvantage as well as helping progress some difficult areas such as creating a healthier environment and culture."
 
The commission is expect to publish its initial report early next year.