Journal
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH, VOL 33
Volume 33, Issue -, Pages 41-58Publisher
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031811-124534
Keywords
health inequalities; social determinants; systems
Categories
Funding
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [P60MD002249] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NIMHD NIH HHS [P60MD002249,, P60 MD002249] Funding Source: Medline
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Scientific and policy interest in health disparities, defined as systematic, plausibly avoidable health differences adversely affecting socially disadvantaged groups, has increased markedly over the past few decades. Like other research, research in health disparities is strongly influenced by the underlying conceptual model of the hypothetical causes of disparities. Conceptual models are important and a major source of debate because multiple types of factors and processes may be involved in generating disparities, because different disciplines emphasize different types of factors, and because the conceptual model often drives what is studied, how results are interpreted, and which interventions are identified as most promising. This article reviews common conceptual approaches to health disparities including the genetic model, the fundamental cause model, the pathways model, and the interaction model. Strengths and limitations of the approaches are highlighted. The article concludes by outlining key elements and implications of an integrative systems-based conceptual model.
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