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A Theoretical Perspective on Why Socioeconomic Health Inequalities Are Persistent: Building the Case for an Effective Approach

Author

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  • Lisa Wilderink

    (Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Department of Healthy Society, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands)

  • Ingrid Bakker

    (Department of Healthy Society, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands)

  • Albertine J. Schuit

    (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands)

  • Jacob C. Seidell

    (Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Ioana A. Pop

    (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands)

  • Carry M. Renders

    (Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Department of Healthy Society, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, 8017 CA Zwolle, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Despite policy intentions and many interventions aimed at reducing socioeconomic health inequalities in recent decades in the Netherlands and other affluent countries, these inequalities have not been reduced. Based on a narrative literature review, this paper aims to increase insight into why socioeconomic health inequalities are so persistent and build a way forward for improved approaches from a theoretical perspective. Firstly, we present relevant theories focusing on individual determinants of health-related behaviors. Thereafter, we present theories that take into account determinants of the individual level and the environmental level. Lastly, we show the complexity of the system of individual determinants, environmental determinants and behavior change for low socioeconomic position (SEP) groups and describe the next steps in developing and evaluating future effective approaches. These steps include systems thinking, a complex whole-system approach and participation of all stakeholders in system change.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Wilderink & Ingrid Bakker & Albertine J. Schuit & Jacob C. Seidell & Ioana A. Pop & Carry M. Renders, 2022. "A Theoretical Perspective on Why Socioeconomic Health Inequalities Are Persistent: Building the Case for an Effective Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8384-:d:858889
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lisa Wilderink & Ingrid Bakker & Albertine J. Schuit & Jacob C. Seidell & Carry M. Renders, 2021. "Involving Children in Creating a Healthy Environment in Low Socioeconomic Position (SEP) Neighborhoods in The Netherlands: A Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Carlijn B M Kamphuis & Tessa Jansen & Johan P Mackenbach & Frank J van Lenthe, 2015. "Bourdieu’s Cultural Capital in Relation to Food Choices: A Systematic Review of Cultural Capital Indicators and an Empirical Proof of Concept," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Manou Anselma & Mai Chinapaw & Teatske Altenburg, 2020. "“Not Only Adults Can Make Good Decisions, We as Children Can Do That as Well” Evaluating the Process of the Youth-Led Participatory Action Research ‘Kids in Action’," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Bernard, Paul & Charafeddine, Rana & Frohlich, Katherine L. & Daniel, Mark & Kestens, Yan & Potvin, Louise, 2007. "Health inequalities and place: A theoretical conception of neighbourhood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(9), pages 1839-1852, November.
    5. Perkins, Jessica M. & Subramanian, S.V. & Christakis, Nicholas A., 2015. "Social networks and health: A systematic review of sociocentric network studies in low- and middle-income countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 60-78.
    6. repec:dau:papers:123456789/10510 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Andreas Vilhelmsson & Per-Olof Östergren, 2018. "Reducing health inequalities with interventions targeting behavioral factors among individuals with low levels of education - A rapid review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Lindström, Martin & Hanson, Bertil S. & Östergren, Per-Olof, 2001. "Socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity: the role of social participation and social capital in shaping health related behaviour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 441-451, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xavier Perafita & Marc Saez, 2023. "Housing Supply and How It Is Related to Social Inequalities—Air Pollution, Green Spaces, Crime Levels, and Poor Areas—In Catalonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-24, April.
    2. Remco Kort & Koen Arts & Josep M. Antó & Matty P. Berg & Gabrielle Cepella & Jennifer Cole & Amarylle van Doorn & Tomás van Gorp & Milo Grootjen & Joyeeta Gupta & Colin Hill & Eva van der Heide & Jef , 2023. "Outcomes from the First European Planetary Health Congress at ARTIS in Amsterdam," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-30, December.
    3. Coetzer, Jessica A. & Loukili, Ibrahim & Goedhart, Nicole S. & Ket, Johannes C.F. & Schuitmaker-Warnaar, Tjerk Jan & Zuiderent-Jerak, Teun & Dedding, Christine, 2024. "The potential and paradoxes of eHealth research for digitally marginalised groups: A qualitative meta-review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).

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