Socioeconomic disparities in health: the impact of pharmacotherapy.
Along with age and gender, socioeconomic status is a fundamental driver of health. This review discusses the meaning of socioeconomic status and how it influences health across a person's life. Particular attention is paid to the role of psychosocial stress and self-determination. Through various pathways, socioeconomic status may affect biologic aging. This review also discusses the implications of the socioeconomic status-health relationship for understanding international differences in population health such as differences in life expectancy. The review concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for national policies and the potential impact of pharmacotherapy.
Fiscella
Kevin
K
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Family Medicine and Community, Research Programs, 1381 South Av., Rochester, NY 14620, USA. Kevin_Fiscella@urmc.rochester.edu