title: Beyond inequality: Acknowledging the complexity of social determinants of health.
abstract: The impact of inequality on health is gaining more attention as public and political concern grows over increasing inequality. The income inequality hypothesis, which holds that inequality is detrimental to overall population health, is especially pertinent. However the emphasis on inequality can be challenged on both empirical and theoretical grounds. Empirically, the evidence is contradictory and contested; theoretically, it is inconsistent with our understanding of human societies as complex systems. Research and discussion, both scientific and political, need to reflect better this complexity, and give greater recognition to other social determinants of health.
authors.affiliation: Australia21 Ltd, 23 Garland Rd, Bundanoon, NSW 2578, Australia. Electronic address: richard@richardeckersley.com.au.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eckersley
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D064890:Social Determinants of Health / Q000191:economics*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Complexity; Culture; Health; Inequality; Social determinants; Wellbeing