What Geohistory Can Teach Us About Fundamental Causes of Health Inequities

Bibliographic Data

ID19578378
AuthorsTimothy R Rebbeck (0000-0002-4799-1900, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume6
Issue1
Pages691-695
Publication date2022-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Equity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2473-1242 • E-ISSN: 2473-1242
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/heq.2021.0191
PMID36225661
OpenAlexW4294958026
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited14

The causes of cancer health inequities are complex, multilevel, and intersectional. The typical disciplines and data used to address these inequities focus on public health, health services, clinical, and fundamental science. Fundamental causes such as systemic racism are a source of much health inequity, but a broader scope of fundamental causes may be considered. Geohistorical events may intersect with other fundamental causes of health inequities. In this study, an example of relationships between ancient geological events, slavery, and subsequent effects of systematic racism are identified. These relationships support the hypothesis that health inequities have deep and complex origins. Geohistorical factors precede social, economic, and political influences on health inequities, and suggest that a full understanding of cancer health inequities and their elimination may be informed by geohistorical events. Thus, addressing inequities may involve disciplines not typically involved in health equity collaborations, including geography, history, economics, political science, and others

Health equity · Inequality · Political science · Politics · Public health · Racism · Social determinants of health · Sociology · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Gender Studies · Health and Conflict Studies · Law · Medicine · Public Health Policies and Education · Health Policy

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