Socioeconomic health inequalities
People from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background are more likely to experience health problems and have a shorter healthy life expectancy. Research into preventing, reducing and explaining socioeconomic health inequalities is of vital importance. Read how we are working to expand our knowledge of these issues and ensure good health for all.
Need for greater knowledge
An increasing number of people in the Netherlands are living longer and in good health. Yet there are significant differences in health and life expectancy between different groups in society. What’s more, these differences appear to be growing. With this in mind, we support knowledge development to discover how these socioeconomic health inequalities arise and how they can be reduced. This helps prevent poorer health among people from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background.
What are socioeconomic health inequalities?
Socioeconomic health inequalities are differences in health and life expectancy between various groups of people. These differences are closely linked to a person’s socioeconomic position, which is determined by factors such as education, income and employment. The lower a person’s position on the social ladder, the more health problems they encounter and the shorter their life expectancy is likely to be.
Research and solutions for equal opportunities in health
Systems approach to health inequalities
As part of the Dutch National Research Agenda, four consortia are conducting research into social and scientific insights aimed at increasing the health potential of people with a lower socioeconomic position. They use a systems approach to achieve an understanding of how the health of this group can be sustainably improved.
Understanding mechanisms, dynamics and interactions
In their research, scientists are examining the factors that influence the relationship between socioeconomic position and health. This area of explanatory research helps develop policy tools to increase opportunities for healthy living and reduce socioeconomic health inequalities.
The project Understanding socioeconomic inequalities in health explores how children’s cognitive and socioemotional development affects their educational attainment and health behaviour.
Integrated approach in the community
How can you adapt the living environment to raise standards of health in vulnerable areas and communities? In ten different projects, local authorities, municipal health services (GGDs) and researchers are working together to develop practical knowledge. This will help local authorities and municipal health services in their efforts to promote health throughout the region.
Healthy living in municipalities and the wider region
Do you work for a local authority or municipal health service (GGD)? In the knowledge pack Healthy living in municipalities and the wider region, you will find practical tools and valuable lessons from research that also help people achieve the aims of the Healthy and Active Life Pact (known by the Dutch acronym GALA). Find inspiring ways to reduce health inequalities and much more.
Over four years, this knowledge has been expanded and refined in 35 projects, with the support of grants from our Prevention programme.
Boosting sports in focus neighbourhoods
The MOOI in Motion programme (in Dutch, MOOI stands for ‘mission-driven development of research and innovation’) seeks to increase participation in sport and exercise among people from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. The programme explores the relationship between sport and exercise, socioeconomic security, social networks and role models within communities.
Finding employment and reducing debt
Local authorities help vulnerable residents find employment and reduce their debt. Scientists develop practical knowledge for local authorities to enable them to offer their residents the best possible support.
Health inequalities in the workplace
Knowledge obtained through research in the field of prevention contributes to reducing socioeconomic inequalities in perceived health among employees. Researchers have developed valuable expertise in interventions that can be directly applied in the workplace, enabling employees to actively work towards a healthier life.
Affordable and healthy food for all
Dieticians help people on a low income opt for healthy and affordable foods. In doing so, they make use of the intervention Affordable and Healthy Nutrition. Researchers are looking at how this intervention can be implemented as widely as possible.
Prevention in primary healthcare
The general practitioner (GP) is usually the first point of contact in the event of health problems. Many health issues are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle or socioeconomic problems. That’s why we invest in knowledge for primary care professionals.[TC-VU1]
For example, healthcare professionals and local authorities are working together to adapt the SLIMMER lifestyle programme to better suit the needs of people from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background. Another project aims to improve the availability of care and welfare interventions in neighbourhoods where residents face greater socioeconomic challenges.
In doing so, it explores the ethical dilemmas of how to support collaborative decision-making in GP healthcare and how to reduce health inequalities.
Promising start for vulnerable families
A child’s first 1000 days are crucial to their health growing up. By identifying risk factors early and providing targeted support, we can help each and every child get a promising start in life.
This ambition encompasses big data analysis, care in connection with unplanned pregnancy and collaboration in local practice. Special attention is devoted to vulnerable groups, such as young people, migrants and people from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background.