Conclusions
This comprehensive review was undertaken on behalf of Food Standards Scotland to characterise clinically vulnerable groups in Scotland with respect to foodborne illness. By integrating physiological explanations with prevalence data, the study has successfully provided a comprehensive understanding of foodborne illness susceptibility among clinically vulnerable groups.
It is evident from our research that there is no specific age at which susceptibility increases. Therefore, future definitions, research and education should not solely mention chronological age or a generic terminology for people with compromised immune function, but instead should refer to specific underlying conditions and medication use as identified in this report to ensure that information given to clinically vulnerable groups is comprehensive and relatable.
Integrating the recommendations made in this report into future communication strategies will improve awareness among clinically vulnerable groups in Scotland of their susceptibility to better protect them from foodborne illnesses in the future.