Socio-economic status and health: causality and pathways

摘要

One of the perennial debates around the causes of health inequalities is whether low socio-economic status (SES hereafter) causes poor health or poor health causes low SES. This debate has crucial implications for policies designed to reduce health inequalities. A socio-economic explanation of health inequalities would necessitate wide ranging policies to improve income redistribution, educational opportunities, employment conditions, the material environment and lifestyles of the population (Acheson, 1998). On the other hand, if health inequalities are the result of pre-existing (ill) health histories causing poor SES. then policy interventions should be focussed on preventing (ill) health events that typically cause reductions in income and ability to work. Improving access to medical care and services may play a crucial role in reducing such health events.