Health inequalities are the unjust and avoidable differences in people’s health across the population and between specific population groups . ... Health inequalities go against the principles of social justice because they are avoidable. They do not occur randomly or by chance.
What are health inequalities examples?
- Socio-economic status and deprivation: e.g. unemployed, low income, people living in deprived areas (e.g. poor housing, poor education and/or unemployment).
- Protected characteristics: e.g. age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability.
What do you mean by health inequality?
Health inequalities are the unjust and avoidable differences in people’s health across the population and between specific population groups . ... Health inequalities go against the principles of social justice because they are avoidable. They do not occur randomly or by chance.
How does inequality affect health?
Poor health and poverty do go hand-in-hand. But high levels of inequality, the epidemiological research shows, negatively affect the health of even the affluent, mainly because, researchers contend, inequality reduces social cohesion, a dynamic that leads to more stress, fear, and insecurity for everyone.
A definition used in a prominent WHO report from 1990 stated that health inequalities can be defined as: ‘ Social inequities in health are systematic differences in health status between different socio-economic groups . These inequities are socially produced (and therefore modifiable) and unfair.
What are the inequalities in society?
Social inequality is an area within sociology that focuses on the distribution of goods and burdens in society . A good can be, for example, income, education, employment or parental leave, while examples of burdens are substance abuse, criminality, unemployment and marginalisation.
How can health inequalities be prevented?
Prevention can help to reduce health inequalities. For this to happen, prevention needs to be at least as effective in groups of the population with the worst health. Cost-effective health improvement: Preventing people taking up smoking (primary prevention) avoids smoking-related illness.
How is health inequality measured?
The simplest measure of health inequalities is to compare the health of those in the lowest socio-economic group with those in the highest group . ... For example, men in the least deprived areas of Scotland live nearly 24 more years in ‘good health’ than those in the most deprived areas.
Why is it important to reduce health inequalities?
Health inequalities are the preventable, unfair and unjust differences in health status between groups, populations or individuals that arise from the unequal distribution of social, environmental and economic conditions within societies, which determine the risk of people getting ill, their ability to prevent sickness ...
Which definition best describes health inequalities?
Health inequities are differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Health inequities are unfair and could be reduced by the right mix of government policies.
What are the negative effects of inequality?
At a microeconomic level, inequality increases ill health and health spending and reduces the educational performance of the poor. These two factors lead to a reduction in the productive potential of the work force. At a macroeconomic level, inequality can be a brake on growth and can lead to instability.
What are the causes of inequality?
- There are several causes which give rise to inequality of incomes in an economy:
- (i) Inheritance:
- (ii) System of Private Property:
- (iii) Differences in Natural Qualities:
- (iv) Differences in Acquired Talent:
- (v) Family Influence:
- (vi) Luck and Opportunity:
What are the effects of inequality on society?
Inequalities can also have a negative impact on almost all in society. Evidence gathered by Wilkinson and Pickett (2009) shows that more unequal societies experience more social and environmental problems across the whole population than more equal societies .
Unequal: Social Inequalities in Health is a short video illustrating the effects of social inequalities on the life-long health of Montrealers. ... Members of this group are more likely to experience developmental delays in childhood, food insecurity , and have lower self-perceived mental and physical health.
What are the causes of poor health?
The causes of poor health for millions globally are rooted in political, social and economic injustices . Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health. Poverty increases the chances of poor health. Poor health, in turn, traps communities in poverty.
The relationship between social class and what are now called health inequalities is clear from simple observation. ... The material explanation blames poverty, poor housing conditions, lack of resources in health and educational provision as well as higher-risk occupations for the poor health of the lower social classes .
