Week 109 - Inequalities in health

Question 1

What is health?

Answer 1

Complete physical, mental and social wellbeing

Not merely just being disease free

Question 2

What is health inequality?

Answer 2

Difference in health status of individuals and groups which may be attributed to factors such as:

• socioeconomic status
• age, sex, ethnicity
• disability
• mental health issues

Question 3

What is health inequity?

Answer 3

Unfair differences that are potentially avoidable

Question 4

What is the inverse care law?

Answer 4

The availability of good medical care tends to be inversely related to the needs of the population it serves

i.e. best healthcare available to the healthiest population

Question 5

What is the Marmot review?

Answer 5

Study showing inequality: people living in higher socioeconomic groups have higher live expectancy

Suggested proportionate universalism

Actions to prevent health inequalities must start before and continue through life