[Inequalities ed equity in health]

Abstract

The relationship between inequalities and health has been widely studied. Several theories have been proposed to define the role of the factors that act on the health levels, their strength and the determination profile. This review recalls the main theories and interpretation proposed by different fields of knowledge and highlights that there is not a single way to generate inequalities in health. Deprivation, disadvantage drift, empowerment, structure and social capital, status syndrome, and embodiment are some of the concepts recalled and explored. Some theories consolidate each other, and some remain more isolated. To increase the knowledge on the mechanisms to define the disease distributions among individuals in the population can help to define new and greater equity intervention policies.

Keywords: Disadvantage drift; Embodiment; Empowerment; Equity; Health deprivation; Health determinants; Inequalities in health; Social capital; Status syndrome.