1st Edition

Reducing Inequalities in Health A European Perspective

Edited By Martijntje Bakker, Johan Mackenbach Copyright 2002
    384 Pages
    by Routledge

    380 Pages
    by Routledge

    Socio-economic inequalities in health are present to a greater or lesser extent in all European countries and the available data suggests that the health gap is increasing. Many studies have been conducted to explain inequalities in health and from them much has been learnt about the different contributory factors. However, in practice it seems hard to translate the knowledge of causes into effective interventions and policies. Reducing Inequalities in Health: a European Perspective:
    * brings together an unrivalled collection of contemporary data on successful policies and interventions
    * compares differences in approach in several European countries
    * includes recent evaluation studies
    * discusses conceptual issues for research
    * provides examples of good and bad practice in Europe
    * draws out the policy and research implications for the future
    With contributions from leading researchers in 14 different European countries, this book provides a comprehensive source of reference for the reader interested in what really works in the field of health promotion and what sort of policies reduce the health gap.

    Part One: Introduction Part Two: Key Conceptual Issues 2. Health Impact Assessment 3. Evaluation Issues 4. Universalist Verses Selectivist Approach 5. Gender Perspective Part Three: National Experiences 6. France 7. Italy 8. Lithuania 9. The Netherlands 10. Spain 11. Sweden 12. England/UK 13. Interventions to Reduce Health Inequalities in Barcelona Part Four: Examples of Good/Bad Practice: Lessons to be Learned 14. Income Related Policies; How to Cope with Recession 15. Working Conditions 16. Social Security Systems 17. Nutrition Policies 18. Smoking Policies 19. Children 20. Financial Barriers to Health Care Part Five: General Lessons / Policy Implications 22. Reflections on European Experiences 22. Policy Implications Part Five: Extended Summary Glossary

    Biography

    Martijntje Bakker, Johan Mackenbach

    'For politicians with a genuine desire to reduce health inequalities, this book provides guidance as to what is likely to work and what is not. I recommend that these politicians, and anyone else with an interest in inequalities, read this book.' - John Macleod, Family Practice

    Interestingly, the authors propose a kind of Cochrane Collaboration for inequality interventions and policies, to further the international study of inequalities. This would undoubtedly be useful but for me the books message is that we must pursue the holy grail of cross-party consensus on the main strands of policy, as in the Netherlands and Sweden. Paul Walker