Inequality in Health

differences in health that still exist among and within countries today

a specific type of health inequality that denotes an unjust difference in health

systematic differences in health that could be avoided by reasonable means
social group differences (like race or religion, not age)

1. examine differences in health outcomes at the group level
- allows an understanding of current inequalities in a historical and cultural context
2. focus on health differences across individuals
- insights into just how unequally resources are currently distributed, and what factors drive these differences

comparing a given income to a static benchmark

comparing a given income to the overall distribution of incomes in a population

amount of money in one's bank account

whether someone feels wealthy or poor in relation to their neighbors

an individual's health depends on their own (and only their own) level of income

social inequality in health should be minimized

improve the health for everyone and the worst off in particular

a broad, long-term strategy to reduce social inequalities in health

reduce disparities in health between different population groups

1. liberal welfare state
2. corporatist welfare state
3. social democratic welfare state

a disadvantaged minority with major health problems in contrast to the rest of the population

health problems increase with lower social class or educational level, and inequality therefore concerns the whole population
- targets everyone for poor health outcomes

the difference between the disadvantaged and the rest
- only targets one population for poor health outcomes

1. understands social inequality in health as a problem belonging to an excluded minority
2. social inequality as a gradient affecting the whole population

A systematic relationship between people's social position in society and their health

used by Denmark

used by US

___________ is not the only explanation or consequence of health inequality