Description
Book SynopsisForeword by Lisa Berkman, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University How welfare states influence population health and health inequalities has long been debated but less well tested by empirical research. This book presents new empirical evidence of the effects of Swedish welfare state structures and policies on the lives of Swedish citizens. The discussion, analysis and innovative theoretical approaches developed in the book have implications for health research and policy beyond Scandinavian borders. Drawing on a rich source of longitudinal data, the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), and other data, the authors shed light on a number of pertinent issues in health inequality research while at the same time showing how health inequalities have evolved in Sweden over several decades. Topics covered include how structural conditions relating to family, socio-economic conditions and the welfare state are important in producing health inequalities; how health inequalities change over the lifecourse and the impact of environment on health inequalities - at home, at school, in the workplace. Health inequalities and welfare resources will be invaluable to researchers, students and practitioners in sociology, social epidemiology, public health and social policy interested in the interplay between society and health.
Trade Review"These complex findings and issues are clearly presented and discussed, and we learn much about the social determinants of health and levels of health inequalities in Sweden. ... there are rich pickings, plenty of food for thought and a lot to digest in this book; as a comprehensive and very capable investigation of the social determinants of health in Sweden it makes an important contribution to health inequalities research." International Journal of Epidemiology
Table of ContentsHealth, inequalities, welfare and resources ~ Johan Fritzell and Olle Lundberg; Health and inequalities in Sweden: long and short-term perspectives ~ Johan Fritzell, Carin Lennartsson and Olle Lundberg; Changing gender differences in musculoskeletal pain and psychological distress ~ Örjan Hemström, Gunilla Krantz and Eva Roos; Life course inequalities: generations and social class ~ Johan Fritzell; Work stress and health: is the association moderated by sense of coherence? ~ Susanna Toivanen; Psychosocial work environment and stress-related health complaints: an analysis of children's and adolescents' situation in school ~ Bitte Modin and Viveca Östberg; Assessing the contribution of relative deprivation to income differences in health ~ Monica Åberg Yngwe and Olle Lundberg; Social capital and health in the Swedish welfare state ~ Mikael Rostila; 'What's marital status got to do with it?': gender inequalities in economic resources, health and functional abilities among older adults ~ Carin Lennartsson and Olle Lundberg; Health inequalities and welfare resources: findings and forecasts ~ Johan Fritzell, Carin Lennartsson and Olle Lundberg.
