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MEN born in Glasgow's deprived east end will die nine years before men born in India.

And male children born a 15-minute drive away in affluent Lenzie can expect to live 28 years longer.

A World Health Organisation report out yesterday revealed life expectancy for a male child born in Calton, Glasgow, was just 54.

In India, the figure is 63 - and men born in Lenzie will live an average of 82 years.

John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "This report provides a brutal example of the damage poverty and inequality does to children's life chances.

"It is completely unacceptable that in 21st century Scotland, in one of the richest countries in the world, a child's life expectancy can be undermined by the circumstances they are born into.

"As the report makes clear, there is nothing inevitable about this. The last 10 years have seen real progress in tackling child poverty in the UK but action has not gone nearly far enough.

"The Chancellor must invest the £3billion urgently needed to boost child benefits and tax credits.

"And government at Holyrood and Westminster must do far more to tackle the poverty pay and lack of affordable childcare that undermines work as a route out of poverty."

Public health minister Shona Robison said: "We believe people are our greatest asset and want to give every child and adult the best possible chance to reach their potential.

"This government have put tackling health inequalities at the forefront of the future health agenda and at the heart of every policy whether that be housing, employment, communities or education.

"Until now, social ills such as crime, poor health and poverty have held too many people back in Scotland.

"Our Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities report published in June set out a series of recommendations spanning all areas of government.

"This is in addition to £1.8billion across government contributing to reducing health inequalities over the next three years.

"This pioneering, whole government approach matches the emerging direction of the WHO Commission report on the social determinants of health.

"The WHO takes an interest in Scotland's approach to tackling health inequality - indeed, our efforts to tackle health inequalities are now being recognised internationally.

"Our Early Years Framework will help offer better chances for those at risk, reinforce families, promote maternal health, tackle drug and alcohol misuse and strengthen communities."