social determinants of health

Question 1

what is the artifact explanation for health inequality?

Answer 1

health and social class are artificial variables used in an attempt to measure a social phenomenon - so observed social class= error in process by which they are measured

*but evidence shows consistent relationship between those in lower social classes and poor health*

Question 2

what is the natural/social selection explanation for health inequality?

Answer 2

health is a filter or sorter of humans - so the healthy are selected into higher social classes - less healthy into lower social classes

Question 3

what is the materialist/structuralist explanation for health inequality?

Answer 3

poverty and deprivation are the determinants of health - housing, good food, educaiton etc.

Question 4

what is the cultural/behavioural explanations for health inequality?

Answer 4

individuals do not think or act responsibly in relation to their health - certain cultures include beliefs which are not positive for health

Question 5

what is our current perspective on health inequality?

Answer 5

people have a cummulative disadvantage

health inequalitites are the outcome of cumulative differential exposure to adverse material conditions and to behavoiral psychological risks

Question 6

what health risk is job control associated with?

Answer 6

CHD risk - feeling that your job is not stable is related to a significant risk of CHD