Prescription for Inequality

This book explores how social determinants of health (SDH) impact the health of a variety of marginalized demographic groups in the United States. Chapters focus on the 13 groups that research demonstrates are most disadvantaged by SDH and, consequently, who suffer the most from ongoing health disparities in America. This includes Black and Hispanic individuals, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, and those living in rural areas, among others.

Chapters follow a standardized format that makes it easy for readers to focus in on aspects of the subject that are of greatest interest. Each profile begins with a snapshot of that group’s current state of health, including the biggest medical concerns and how other determinants of health may play a role. Next, each chapter takes an in-depth look at the four components of SDH: economic factors, educational access and quality, healthcare access and quality, and living environment and social context. Unique problems and possible solutions are explored within each of these four sections. An end-of-volume bibliography and further readings list points readers who wish to continue their investigation of the topic toward additional information.

Relying on an interdisciplinary framework, the book incorporates research from diverse fields including public health, feminist theory, critical studies of race and ethnicity, poverty studies, disability studies, aging studies, cultural competence, legal studies, and global health. In recognition of the reality that health disparities are the result of a complex interplay of forces and structural factors that permeate American culture, analysis extends beyond health and health care to include a broad range of interrelated social, political, economic, and educational components.