[Health inequalities: new theoretical perspectives]

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• Economic and social inequalities significantly impact health outcomes.
• Existing theories of justice (Rawls, Sen) offer perspectives on equity.
• The social determination of health is a complex, multifaceted issue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically link economic inequalities with social inequities and health determination.
• To analyze dominant Northern epistemologies and propose a Global South perspective.
• To reduce terminological confusion regarding inequality and inequity in health.

Main Methods:

• Review of Rawls' and Sen's theories of justice and equity.
• Analysis of literature on social inequalities and health.
• Development of a semantic matrix for key terms (difference, distinction, inequality, inequity, iniquity).
• Introduction of a theoretical model on the poverty-inequality dyad.
• Case study analysis of the Brazilian context.

Main Results:

• Economic inequalities can transmute into new forms of social inequities and health iniquities.
• A proposed semantic matrix clarifies distinctions between related concepts.
• A theoretical model integrates social resources, health practices, services, and conditions.
• The Brazilian case illustrates contemporary political implications.

Conclusions:

• Addressing health disparities requires understanding the transformation of economic into social and health inequities.
• Epistemological perspectives from the Global South are crucial for analyzing health determination.
• Policy interventions must consider the complex interplay of economic, social, and health factors.