Peter Groenewegen
Senior researcher Healthcare System and Governance
News
Studies on health inequality ignore the role of health systems and health services
Health inequality is unjust and avoidable. It is a key focus of health policy in many countries and is widely studied in public health research. However, studies often ignore the role of health systems and health services in creating health inequality at the population level. As a result, their potential to create or reduce health inequality is also overlooked. A new book, co-authored by emeritus professor and Nivel researcher Peter Groenewegen, brings together the scientific literature on the relationships between the design of health systems, health service provision and utilization, and inequality in the population health.
The open-access book demonstrates the scientific and policy value of combining research into health systems, health services, and population health. It can make researchers aware of the importance of looking beyond the boundaries of their own field and seeking interdisciplinary collaboration.
Taking the influence of the health system into account
Research into health inequalities usually focuses on the social determinants of health. The role of health systems and health service provision is often overlooked. The same societal structures that shape the social determinants of health also determine the design of the health system. They influence the impact of the health system on access to and provision of health services, and on the benefits of health service use to patients from different backgrounds. Therefore, efforts to reduce health inequalities by addressing the social determinants of health must also take into account the influence of the health system and the provision of health services.
Social determinants of health
These are the circumstances in which people are born, live, work and grow old, which have a positive or negative impact on health. They include factors such as socio-economic status, education, living environment, access to healthcare, social support, culture and employment.
These are the circumstances in which people are born, live, work and grow old, which have a positive or negative impact on health. They include factors such as socio-economic status, education, living environment, access to healthcare, social support, culture and employment.
The origin of the book lies in monthly online meetings that we started during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have known each other for a long time and discussed personal matters, politics, history and, of course, our research and research interests. Gradually, we saw how our main research interests complemented each other: Ilmo Keskimäki focuses on health services, Alastair Leyland on population health, and I on health systems. We also share an interest in inequalities in health, which formed the basis for this book
Want to know more?
Read the entire book online.