When are health inequalities a political problem?
| Title | When are health inequalities a political problem? |
| Year | 2006 |
| Author | S. Vallgårda |
| DOI | 10.1093/eurpub/ckl047 |
| URL | http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/6/615 |
| Journal | The European Journal of Public Health |
| Document Type | Journal Article |
| Document Availability | Full Text |
| Classification | Equity |
| Abstract | Signild Vallgårda Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkCorrespondence: Dr Signild Vallgårda, Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark, tel: +45 35 32 79 68, fax: +45 35 32 76 29, e-mail: s.vallgarda{at}pubhealth.ku.dkReceived August 31, 2005.Accepted March 3, 2006.Abstract Is it possible to define criteria by which a political decision on which inequities in health should be addressed can be made? It has been suggested that differences which are unnecessary and avoidable and those which are unfair and unjust are inequalities which should lead to political action. In the article it is argued that it is not possible to make a clear distinction between avoidable and unavoidable differences, and that the extent to which differences are considered unfair depends on political and normative standpoints, and generally acceptable criteria can therefore not be established. ideologyinequitypolicy© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved. |