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This Project has received funding from the European Commission
The European network of health promotion agencies Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung National Institute of Public Health, NIPH Finnish Centre for Health Promotion (FCHP) The Institute of Public Health in Ireland National Social Marketing Centre International Union for Health Promotion and Education European Partners

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You are here: > What are Health Inequalities?

What are Health Inequalities?

Health Inequalities is a term used to describe differences in health status and outcomes that are unjust. This means that the health differences cannot be explained by natural predispositions, such as genes, natural immunity etc. On the contrary, health outcomes are determined by an individual’s social position which is affected by factors such as income, education and occupational status. This is illustrated by the staggering differences in mortality and morbidity levels, which are highest amongst the lower socio-economic groups and decrease when moving up the social ladder.

Numerous scientific studies show that low socio-economic status is associated with poor health over the life course: Socially disadvantaged groups face a higher risk of premature mortality, disease and accidents in childhood, while early detection and vaccinations are carried out less often amongst these groups. In addition, adverse health-related behaviors such as cigarette smoking, bad dietary habits or lack of physical activity are more prevalent amongst socially disadvantaged groups. Their risk of developing chronic conditions such as  cardiovascular disease and depressive disorders is two- to three times greater than that of those with a higher socio-economic status.

Unpublished data from a European research group on socioeconomic inequalities in 11 European countries show, for example, that in all European countries mortality rates (per 1000 years) in early old age are higher among women and men who have lower levels of education.
(by courtesy of Dr. Anton Kunst, Erasmus University Rotterdam; find more details in: Huisman M, Kunst AE, Andersen O, Bopp M, Borgan JK, Borrell C, et al. (2004). Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality among elderly people in 11 European populations. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 58 (6):468-75.)

Mortality rates (per 1000 person years) of lower & higher educated groups, men aged 60-69

Mortality rates (per 1000 person years) of lower & higher educated groups, men aged 60-69

Mortality rates (per 1000 person years) of lower & higher educated groups, women aged 60-69

Mortality rates (per 1000 person years) of lower & higher educated groups, women aged 60-69

Inequalities in health are a major challenge for public health in the European Union. The Consortium of European Partners for Equity in Health all contributed examples of interventions and policies designed to reduce health inequalities in the countries of the European Union.

The Consortium of European Partners for Equity in Health also came up with a position paper in which definition of health inequalities is further elaborated.

This paper is an output of the first project year of 'Closing the Gap' and it is based on research and discussion with project partners and members of the advisory board.

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