Health Inequality Sociology

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Health is a fundamental right to every individual. People in need of health care in same society can be subjected to different treatment which is disposed to health inequality. This different treatment can be inevitable due to natural causes but it can also be due to improper policies and actions. Health inequality can be prevalent in poor countries but also present in modern countries like United Kingdom. Health inequality is always linked to social inequality and follow social gradient.
The world health organization defines health as the state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (1). Health is a basic need to every individual .It is not only important to the individual but also …show more content…
The report proposes four theories to explain the causes of health inequality in UK: the artefact theory, selection theory, culture and behavioural theory and structural (8). The importance of this report that it tried to explain the causes of health inequalities as a way of identifying the problem. Those theories were over studied and followed up by another studies including Acheson report which was released in 1988. A more thorough study concentrating on the social determinants of health was led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot and gave its recommendation in detailed review in 2010. These studies gave evidences that health inequalities do exist in UK and there is link between socioeconomic status and state of health (4). Marmot study of 2010 for instance showed that the life expectancy gap between people living in rich area and poor can reach seven years in favour for the first (4).The Marmot review also stated that the poor in UK not only have shorter life but their lives can be challenged with disabilities with average of 17 years(7). In a census done by the office for national statistics in 2011 and covered England and Wales the reporting of not good health was higher in North in all socioeconomic classes (6). Marmot review stated that the gap is not random and there is social gradient in health and the person will have lower health if he …show more content…
It also include individual lifestyle the person decide to embark like smoking, diet habits and physical activity. Usually these decisions are influenced by the community networks surrounding him or her which include input from family, neighbourhood and school. Other health determinants include environment, education, housing and living and working
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