Social Conditions as Fundamental Causes of Health Inequalities

A set of flashcards reviewing key concepts and implications from the theory of fundamental causes of health inequalities.

What is a key finding of the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality?

Age-adjusted risk of death for those in the lowest socioeconomic level is double to triple that for the highest level.

What does the theory of fundamental causes propose regarding SES and health inequalities?

SES embodies an array of resources (money, knowledge, power, etc.) that helps protect health regardless of the risk factors present.

Name one major factor contributing to persistent health disparities in lower SES groups.

Poor diet, inadequate exercise, or smoking.

What does ‘flexible resources’ refer to in the context of fundamental cause theory?

Resources like knowledge, money, and social connections that can be used in various ways to avoid health risks and enhance health.

How are health inequalities thought to persist despite advances in healthcare?

New health risks and prevention strategies can emerge that maintain SES-related health disparities.

What are the four essential features of a fundamental cause of health inequalities?

1) Influences multiple disease outcomes, 2) Affects disease outcomes through multiple risk factors, 3) Involves access to resources, 4) The association is reproduced over time as intervening mechanisms change.

Provide an example of how knowledge influences health behaviors according to the fundamental cause theory.

The awareness of the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer has led to an increase in smoking awareness and decreased smoking rates associated with higher education.

What has research shown about the relationship between cancer screening rates and education/income?

Screening rates for cancers like cervical and breast cancer are associated with higher educational and income levels.

What does fundamental cause theory say about the replacement of mechanisms linking SES to health?

Health inequalities persist as old mechanisms are replaced by new ones, allowing SES to remain a significant factor in health outcomes.

What policy recommendations arise from fundamental cause theory to address health inequalities?

Policies should focus on reducing resource inequalities and developing interventions that benefit all socioeconomic groups equally.