Alistair Woodward
Why reduce health inequalities?
Harvard University|Boston University
well known social cultural economic factors cause substantial inequalities health strive achieve even share good health beyond improving average health status population examine four arguments reduction health inequalities1 inequalities unfair inequalities health undesirable extent unfair unjust distinguishing health inequalities health inequities contentious view inequalities become unfair poor health consequence unjust distribution underlying social determinants health example unequal opportunities education employment2 inequalities affect everyone conditions lead marked health disparities detrimental members society types health inequalities obvious spillover effects rest society example spread infectious diseases consequences alcohol drug misuse occurrence violence crime3 inequalities avoidable disparities health avoidable extent stem identifiable policy options exercised governments tax policy regulation business labour welfare benefits health care funding follows health inequalities principle amenable policy interventions government cares improving health population ought therefore incorporate considerations health impact alternative options policy setting process3 interventions reduce health inequalities cost effective public health programmes reduce health inequalities also cost effective case made give priority programmes example improving access cervical cancer screening low income women efficiency grounds hand programmes designed reduce health inequalities formally evaluated using cost effectiveness analysis conclude fairness likely influential argument favour acting reduce disparities health concept equity contested susceptible different interpretations persuasive evidence outcomes reducing inequalities diminish spill effects health society large principle would expect differences health status biologically determined avoidable however mechanisms giving rise inequalities still imperfectly understood evidence remains gathered effectiveness interventions reduce inequalities