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Making a difference to socioeconomic determinants of health in Australia: a research and development strategy
Author(s) -
Dixon Jane M,
Douglas Robert M,
Eckersley Richard M
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb124100.x
Subject(s) - health equity , government (linguistics) , social determinants of health , commonwealth , health policy , disadvantage , socioeconomic status , health care , economic growth , political science , health services research , action research , public relations , sociology , medicine , environmental health , population , economics , linguistics , philosophy , pedagogy , law
Disparities in health across the socioeconomic spectrum are now recognised worldwide and demand policy action. Pathways from social disadvantage to health outcomes are poorly understood, and reducing social disadvantage poses crosscutting political, moral and methodological issues. The Health Inequalities Research Collaboration, an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, is establishing a research and development process to support departmental efforts to reduce health inequalities. The collaboration is building research networks in child development, community resources and primary healthcare. Policy action needs to extend beyond the health portfolio and the role of government. Broad strategies are required, as is research to fearlessly evaluate the health effects of government policy, economic activity and cultural change. The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research is a model for national research of the kind needed in Australia.