Health inequalities, fundamental causes and power

Towards the Practice of Good Theory

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2249799
AutoresGerry Mccartney (0000-0001-6341-3521, Public Health Scotland Glasgow UK, autor correspondente), Elinor Dickie (Public Health Scotland Glasgow UK), Oliver Escobar (0000-0002-6628-9359, School of Social and Political Science University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK), Chik Collins (0000-0003-3906-0695, School of Media, Culture and Society University of the West of Scotland Paisley UK)
Ano2021
Volume43
Fascículo1
Páginas20-39
Data de publicação2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.13181
PMID33222244
OpenAlexW3107066117
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas47
Referências citadas73

Reducing health inequalities remains a challenge for policy makers across the world. Beginning from Lewin's famous dictum that 'there is nothing as practical as a good theory', this paper begins from an appreciative discussion of 'fundamental cause theory', emphasizing the elegance of its theoretical encapsulation of the challenge, the relevance of its critical focus for action, and its potential to support the practical mobilisation of knowledge in generating change. Moreover, it is argued that recent developments in the theory, provide an opportunity for further theoretical development focused more clearly on the concept of power (Dickie et al. 2015). A critical focus on power as the essential element in maintaining, increasing or reducing social and economic inequalities - including health inequalities - can both enhance the coherence of the theory, and also enhance the capacity to challenge the roots of health inequalities at different levels and scales. This paper provides an initial contribution by proposing a framework to help to identify the most important sources, forms and positions of power, as well as the social spaces in which they operate. Subsequent work could usefully test, elaborate and adapt this framework, or indeed ultimately replace it with something better, to help focus actions to reduce inequalities

Economics · Epistemology · Inequality · Positive economics · Power (physics · Sociology · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Health disparities and outcomes · Mathematics