Session 3 - Inequalities in Health

Question 1

What is social class?

Answer 1

A segment of the population, distinguished from others by similarities in labour market position and property relations

Question 2

Give the 4 theories the black report gave behind why inequality occurs and give a brief description

Answer 2

1. Artefact Explanation - Due to way stats are collected
2. Social selection explanation - Direction of causation is from health to social position
3. Behavioural-cultural explanation - Ill health is due to people’s choices, knowledge and goals
4. Materialist Explanation - Due to differential access to material resources.

Question 3

How can psychosocial perspectives account for inequality?

Answer 3

Lots of inequalities in society leads to lower quality social relations. This results in high distribution of psychological stress and therefore higher inequalities in health

Question 4

How does income distribution affect health inquality?

Answer 4

Countries with greater income inequalities have greater health inequalities, even if richer overall

Question 5

Define inequality and inequity

Answer 5

Inequality – When things are different (not equal)

Inequity – Inequalities that are unfair and avoidable (or not accounted for by clinical need)