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. 2010 Apr;64(4):284-91.
doi: 10.1136/jech.2008.082743. Epub 2009 Aug 19.

Tackling the wider social determinants of health and health inequalities: evidence from systematic reviews

C Bambra  1 , M Gibson, A Sowden, K Wright, M Whitehead, M Petticrew
Affiliations

Tackling the wider social determinants of health and health inequalities: evidence from systematic reviews

C Bambra et al. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Background: There is increasing pressure to tackle the wider social determinants of health through the implementation of appropriate interventions. However, turning these demands for better evidence about interventions around the social determinants of health into action requires identifying what we already know and highlighting areas for further development.

Methods: Systematic review methodology was used to identify systematic reviews (from 2000 to 2007, developed countries only) that described the health effects of any intervention based on the wider social determinants of health: water and sanitation, agriculture and food, access to health and social care services, unemployment and welfare, working conditions, housing and living environment, education, and transport.

Results: Thirty systematic reviews were identified. Generally, the effects of interventions on health inequalities were unclear. However, there is suggestive systematic review evidence that certain categories of intervention may impact positively on inequalities or on the health of specific disadvantaged groups, particularly interventions in the fields of housing and the work environment.

Conclusion: Intervention studies that address inequalities in health are a priority area for future public health research.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dahlgren and Whitehead's model of the social determinants of health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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