Tackling Inequalities in Health: A Global Challenge for Social Work

Abstract

SummaryThis paper presents arguments for recognizing and tackling health inequalities as a major new challenge for social work. Four underpinning points provide the building blocks for this case, that health inequalities are a matter of social justice and human rights, that the causes of health inequalities are primarily social, that poverty and poor health are common characteristics of social work service users and, that, therefore, health inequalities are a vital issue for social workers in all settings. A number of implications for social work practice and policy are outlined. The paper concludes that addressing health inequalities implies that social work has to become more actively engaged with critical global social, economic, environmental and political issues.

The Contribution of Social Work and Social Interventions Across the Life Course to the Reduction of Health Inequalities: A New Agenda for Social Work Education?

“…Social work has established experience of working with marginalised groups, and may play an important role in promoting individual and community health and wellbeing. Social work values include a focus on social justice, human rights and empowerment which may directly impact on the social determinants of health (Bywaters, 2009). By interrogating the role that social work can play in the health and well-being of disadvantaged people across the life course, important evidence-based recommendations for social work education can be developed.…”

Looked after young people: Reducing health inequalities through an evidence- and theory-informed intervention

“…Research shows that LAYP looked after young people within higher income countries, including the UK, have poorer mental health, behavioural problems and poorer health behaviours around sexual health, alcohol and drug use, and smoking, which represent key public health issues (Gramkowski et al, 2009;Meltzer, 2007;Meltzer and Lader, 2005;Sawyer et al, 2007;Scott and Hill, 2006;TarrenSweeney et al, 2006). While many different factors trigger and maintain behaviour across various settings, social and environmental influences tend to have the greatest negative impact on the health of vulnerable groups (Bywaters, 2007). As a group, LAYP looked after young people have multiple disadvantages and may have experienced abuse, neglect and family breakdown before entering care, and being subject to decisions out of their control.…”

Developing a Multicomponent Model of Nutritious Food Access and Related Implications for Community and Policy Practice

“…Increasingly, these frameworks are shifting the focus of health research and practice to include community-level, in addition to individual-level, interventions (Story, Kaphingst, Robinson-O’Brien, & Glanz, 2008). Interestingly, this movement upstream has been driven by researchers and practitioners from public health, with social workers less engaged in discourse and action within this burgeoning field (Bywaters, 2009). …”