title: The assumed relation between occupation and inequality in health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational science and therapy scholars have argued that research on inequality in health is needed. Simultaneously, a knowledge gap between how to understand and take action on health inequalities exists in occupational science and therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify how inequality in health, high-risk areas of health, and engagement in health for low-income adult citizens have been described and conceptualized in contemporary occupational science and therapy literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured literature review of 37 publications in occupational science and therapy literature, published from 2004 to 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The review revealed several descriptions and conceptualizations based on environmental, social, cultural, historical, and personal perspectives on occupation and already existing occupational science concepts. However, these descriptions were mainly based on assumptions regarding the relation between occupation and inequality in health, and statements on the need to explore this relation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Basic theory and reasoning, as well as empirical studies, on inequality in health are missing in occupational science and therapy. Based on the findings and theoretical trends, the authors suggest a transactional perspective on occupation is a possible frame for understanding inequality in health and related issues.
authors: a Division of Health Studies, Department of Occupational Therapy , University College of Northern Denmark , Aalborg , Denmark ;
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Madsen
authors: b Department of Communication , Aalborg University , Aalborg , Denmark ;
authors: Anne Marie
authors: AM
authors: Kanstrup
authors: c Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Neurobiology, Caring Science and Society , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
authors: Staffan
authors: S
authors: Josephsson
mesh_terms: D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D009790:Occupations; D011203:Poverty
keywords: Engagement; health disparity; health inequities; health promotion; high-risk areas of health; low-income citizens; transactionalism