2 October 2025: The UofG Spotlight podcast is back! In this first episode, we explore the future of Scotland’s health with a focus on prevention, systems change, and the social determinants of health, including an interview with Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith.

In this episode, hosts Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale explore the future of Scotland’s health with a focus on prevention, systems change, and the social determinants of health.

Nicola sits down with Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for the Scottish Government, to discuss the long-term challenges facing the health service, the concept of Realistic Medicine, and why prevention must be at the heart of Scotland’s public health strategy. From the pressures of political decision-making to the promise of AI in healthcare, this wide-ranging conversation offers a compelling look at how we can reimagine health systems for the future.

Kez brings in two leading voices from the University of Glasgow:

  • Professor Petra Meier, whose modelling work has shaped key public health policies like Minimum Unit Pricing, and
  • Dr David Blane, Academic Lead for the Deep End GP Project, which tackles health inequalities in Scotland’s most deprived communities.

Together, they unpack the economic and social drivers of health, the barriers to preventative care, and the importance of whole-system approaches to improving outcomes.

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First published: 2 October 2025

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