REDUCING SOCIAL AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Reducing Social And Health Inequalities

Reducing Social And Health Inequalities Requires Building Social And Politicalmovements

Dennis Raphael, PhD, is a Professor of Health Policy and Management at York University in Toronto. The most latest of his over 150 technical publications have concentrated on the health consequences of earnings inequality and scarcity, the value of life of groups and persons, and the influence of government conclusions on Canadians' health and well-being. Dr. Raphael is reviewer of " Determinants of Social Health: Canadian Perspectives" (now in 2nd edition), co-editor of "Staying Alive: Critical Perspectives on Health, Illness, and Health Care" (now in 2nd edition) and scribe of "Poverty and Policy in Canada: Implications for Health and Quality of Life", all released by Canadian Scholars' Press. "Health Promotion and Quality of Life in Canada: Essential Readings", an revised assemblage was issued in January 2010 and "About Canada: Health and Illness" is being released by Fernwood Publishers in the Fall of 2010.

The linkage between social inequality and personal health has been identified since the 19th century. The association between social inequality and mental sickness was first elaborated in the mid-20th 100 years, motivated by the work of Faris and Dunham, Hollingshead and Redlich, and Srole and colleagues. By the 1970s, concern had waned because of restricted analytic tools, underdeveloped interventions, and a political climate that was not conducive to speaking to matters of social inequality.

However, social inequality has appeared as a focal issue of health concerns in the 21st century. The British government's new health policy identifies that "the origin determinants of sick health are mostly social, financial, and ecological and need principles that target assist at those who are poorer off". In the United States, the Surgeon General has recognised "health disparities" as a major public health concern.

Nevertheless, in psychiatry, matters ...