The Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities

The social determinants of health, including racism, have a significant impact on individual health. This resource provides students and educators with a comprehensive understanding of the effects of social and political factors on health, and approaches for addressing social disparities in health.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The impact of the social determinants of health, encompassing social, political, and economic factors beyond healthcare, has been extensively documented in recent years. The question has shifted from whether these factors are significant to understanding their mechanisms and effective strategies for addressing them. Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities serves as a comprehensive resource for students and educators seeking to comprehend the multifaceted effects of social and political factors, including racism, on individual health. Drawing upon Paula Braveman's pioneering work in health equity, this volume elucidates how upstream drivers such as law and policy initiate causal chains that influence health outcomes, particularly in the context of systemic issues like racism.

Each chapter delves into the impact of various social determinants of health, including income, education, stress, work, and racism, on health and health disparities. It explores how these factors are influenced by upstream social factors and how they exert their influence through complex pathways. Additionally, the chapters provide practical approaches for future practitioners and policymakers to activate health-promoting pathways while interrupting health-damaging ones.

The book is supplemented with chapter summaries and discussion questions to facilitate classroom learning and engagement. It serves as an essential guide for understanding and addressing social disparities in health, particularly racial and socioeconomic disparities. By recognizing and addressing the social determinants of health, we can work towards creating a more equitable and healthier society for all.

Weight: 738g
Dimension: 198 x 244 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190624118