19 July 2024
Health Inequalities: Understanding our Worse Epidemic
Why do low-income countries, regions and neighborhoods have a much lower life expectancy than high-income areas? Why less favored social groups have worse health than better-off groups? Why some populations enjoy better health than others? What can be done to improve this situation? According to the hegemonic biomedical approach, the main reasons for the production of health are biology and genetics, unhealthy life-styles, and deficiencies in the access and use of health services. Available knowledge, however, shows that other factors play a significant role. Firstly, political and social determinants (e.g., power relations, social policies, poverty, work, housing, etc.) have a larger effect on health, and quality of life. And secondly, these determinants are strongly related to axes of inequality such as social class, gender, ethnic origin, migration status and territory. Using a transdisciplinary integrated approach, this course introduces the student to the characteristics, causes, and potential solutions of health inequalities, which is a key indicator of justice and quality of life.
Course leader
Joan Benach
Target group
2nd, 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students
Fee info
EUR 150: Registration fee (non refundable)
EUR 550: Tuition fee (non refundable)
Scholarships
Non UPF students from universities with an international exchange partnership with UPF will be exempt of paying the 150€ non refundable registration fee.