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Explanation and Social Policy: ‘The’ problem of social inequalities in health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Stuart S Blume
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Abstract

Inequalities in rates of sickness and mortality between social groups has long been a matter of concern and of inquiry in Britain. Disciplinary differentiation has resulted in the problem now being treated within what have become three distinct intellectual traditions. These are social administration, epidemiology, and sociology, and the accounts they provide differ significantly from each other. This is partly because ‘the’ problem is somewhat differently defined in each; and partly because of their different orientations to theory and to practical amelioration. This article explores the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and raises the possibility of a more adequate explanation than any one discipline provides. The implications for study of social administration are considered.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 1982 , pp. 7 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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