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Diversions

How the Underrepresentation of Research on Advantaged Groups Leaves Explanations for Health Inequalities Incomplete

Bibliographic Data

ID2316787
AuthorsBruce G Link (0000-0001-9980-7450, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA, corresponding author), San Juanita García (0000-0002-3540-6882, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA)
Year2021
Volume62
Issue3
Pages334-349
Publication date2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health and Social Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1465 • E-ISSN: 2150-6000
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00221465211028152
PMID34355597
OpenAlexW3190544387
LanguageEN
Citations received29
References cited55

We identify a gap in health inequalities research that sociologists are particularly well situated to fill-an underrepresentation of research on the role advantaged groups play in creating inequalities. We name the process that creates the imbalance health-inequality diversions. We gathered evidence from awarded grants (349), major health-related data sets (7), research articles (324), and Healthy People policy recommendations. We assess whether the inequality-generating actions of advantaged groups are considered either directly by capturing their behaviors or indirectly by asking disadvantaged people about discrimination or exploitation from advantaged groups. We further assess whether there is a tendency to locate the problem in the person or group experiencing health inequalities. We find that diversions are prevalent across all steps of the research process. The diversion concept suggests new lines of sociological research to understand why diversions occur and how gaps in evidence concerning the role of the advantaged might be filled

Demographic economics · Disadvantaged · Economic growth · Economics · Health care · Health equity · Inequality · Process (computing) · Situated · Sociology · Health disparities and outcomes · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works29
Citations per year5,8
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 27
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