Social determinants of health inequalities

Question 1

What are 3 theories of causation for disease?

Answer 1

Neo-materialist Life course Psychosocial

Question 2

What are the 3 components of the lifecourse theory?

Answer 2

Critical periods - greater impact at certain times in life i.e measles in pregnancy

Accumulation - hazards and impacts add up i.e blue collar work adds to more physical injuries

Interactions and pathways - i.e sexual abuse in childhood leads to poorer choices

Question 3

What does the psychosocial theory describe?

Answer 3

Stressors fall into 3 categories:

• low social status
• lack of friends
• stress in early life

Question 4

What is the neo-materalist theory about?

Answer 4

A combination of negative exposures and lack of resources held by individuals, along with systematic under-investment across a wide range of human, cultural and political-economic processes, leads to disease.

Poverty exposes people to health hazards.