Inequality and health: Can medical practice address the consequences of inequalities?

Abstract

BackgroundThe extent to which governments provide socioeconomic supports has been highlighted by their spending during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This has implications for patterns of inequality, in particular on exacerbating unequal health and well‐being.ResultsInequity has expanded due to neoliberalism, a market‐based approach that has endured for more than four decades. Together with COVID‐19, it has developed and exposed many structural governance differences.DiscussionThere are a number of examples presented of the effects of inequalities on health and well‐being. The role of general practice in addressing these is discussed and challenges are highlighted, especially those relating to payment systems and workforce constraints.