Resumen

SANTOS PADRON, Hilda. Social determinants, health inequalities, and policies as subjects of research. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2011, vol.37, n.2. ISSN 0864-3466.

Introduction The linking between the social determinants and the health status of the people has been recognized for a very long time, although the last three decades has witnessed the rebirth of interest for this association. The number of scientific publications rose, the contents of which showed the social inequalities in health, hence their validity turns them into a mandatory topic in the field of public health. Objective To review the relevant information on the social determinants and inequalities in health policies. Data sources Literature and document review on-line and in electronic format about this topic. The subject headings such as social determinants, and health inequality and inequity were used for search in websites and pages from well-known centers and institutions. Data synthesis Brief historical account on the relationship between the health status of the people and their social conditions; assessments and critical comments on prestigious researchers´ approaches. Those methods for the study of health inequalities were summarized and exemplified with the situation of these research works in Mexico. Conclusions More comprehensive and good evidence-supported processes of research on the social determinants are required. Also, it is necessary to recognize the importance of these research works to make decisions to overcome health problems using approaches that guide us to their determinants, but not only from the medical care viewpoint.

Palabras clave : Health inequalities; social determinant; public policies; health research; Mexico.

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