Unequal Lives: Health and Socioeconomic Inequalities

Abstract

With the compelling evidence that more redistributive universal welfare benefits and education provide the main escalator to reducing inequalities, this is a timely and thought-provoking book for all those concerned to reduce our societies' embedded structural inequalities, cumulative disadvantages and health Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Unequal Lives is the book that we have all been waiting for. In this skilfully crafted volume, Hilary Graham makes the vital connection between health inequalities and social inequalities in a way that opens up new understandings of both concepts and consequences for policy. Scholarly yet accessible, this is a 'must read' book for researchers, policymakers and practitioners alike. Margaret Whitehead, WH Duncan Professor of Public Health, University of Liverpool, UK book has high educational value and is worthy of being considered as a resource for students in relevant courses. It will also be helpful for policymakers, clinicians and social workers, especially those settling and the changes in health outcomes are being observed. The author should be congratulated for bringing clarity to a complex, interlacing and intricate relationship of social and health sciences. Nilamadhab Kar, MD, DPM, DNBConsultant Psychiatrist, Wolverhampton City PrimaryCare Trust; Resource Person, Quality of Life Researchand Development Foundation, UK and Consultant Psychiatrist, Mental Health Directorate,Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, Steps toHealth, Showell Circus, Wolverhampton, UK. What is meant by health inequalities and socioeconomic inequalities? What evidence is there to support the link between socioeconomic status and health? Why do these links persist over time, between and within societies, and across people's lives? What part do policies play in the persistence of social and health inequalities?Unequal Lives provides an evidence-based introduction to social and health inequalities. It brings together research from social epidemiology, sociology and social policy to guide the reader to an understanding of why people's lives and people's health remain so unequal, even in rich societies where there is more than enough for all. The book introduces the non-specialist to key concepts like health inequalities and health inequities, social class and socioeconomic position, social determinants and life course, as well as to the key indicators of health and socioeconomic position. It provides a wealth of evidence on socioeconomic inequalities in health at both national and global level, and explores how these inequalities persist as countries industrialise, patterns of employment and family life change, and chronic diseases emerge as the big killers. Consideration is given to policy and its impact on inequalities within the UK, Europe and beyond and an assessment made of health inequalities throughout the life. This new book from best selling author Hilary Graham is of particular interest to students in sociology, social policy, health studies, health promotion and public health as well as to social work and community nursing students and those working in the health and welfare fields.

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