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Objective: To analyze health social inequalities, by Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN), between municipalities of the Pacific Colombian region. Methods: An ecologic cross-sectional study with retrospective data from the national population and housing census and births and deaths for 2018 was carried. An ecologic cross-sectional study with retrospective data from the national population and housing census and births and deaths for 2018 was carried. UBN index was selected as the stratified variable, and life expectancy, infant mortality rate, mortality rate in children under five years of age, and maternal mortality ratio for each Pacific Colombian region were health variables. Metrics of inequalities calculated were simple absolute inequality, simple relative inequality, slope inequality index, and relative inequality index. Results: The behavior of the selected health indicators is better in those departments of the Pacific region that exhibit lower NBI. Choco is the pacific region department that shows the worst behavior in the selected health indicators and has a higher UBN. Conclusions: It requires complex interventions that improve the living conditions where the people live in the Colombian Pacific region; this potentially can improve health outcomes., Objetivo: analizar las desigualdades sociales en salud, por necesidades básicas insatisfechas (NBI), entre los departamentos que componen la región Pacífica colombiana. Métodos: estudio ecológico transversal con información retrospectiva a partir de los datos de censo nacional de población, vivienda, nacimientos y defunciones para el 2018. El NBI se escogió como variable estratificadora de posición socioeconómica y como variables de salud la esperanza de vida, razón de mortalidad materna, tasa de mortalidad en menores de 5 años y tasa de mortalidad, infantil para cada uno de los departamentos de la región Pacífica colombiana. Se calcularon las siguientes medidas de desigualdad: absoluta simple, relativa simple, índice de desigualdad de la pendiente y el índice relativo de desigualdad. Resultados: el comportamiento de los indicadores de salud elegidos es mejor en aquellos departamentos de la región Pacífica que exhiben menores NBI. El Chocó es el departamento de la región Pacífica que presenta un peor comportamiento en los indicadores de salud seleccionados y tiene un mayor NBI. Conclusiones: se requiere el diseño de intervenciones más complejas que tengan en cuenta las condiciones en que las personas de la región Pacífica viven, esto potencialmente puede mejorar los resultados en salud.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer types that affects the health of women worldwide. Objective: To determine if there are differences in the use of Pap smears at the regional level in Costa Rica, in order to visualize the inequalities related to the early detection of cervical-uterine cancer. Methodology. This study was conducted based on information from the 2014 National Household Survey. This survey is representative at the national level. R-Studio was used to estimate two multinomial regression models. The first one was used to explain the time that has elapsed since the last time women had a Pap smear. The second one was used to explain the reasons why women had never had a Pap smear. Data on the incidence of cervical cancer, from the National Tumor Registry of the Ministry of Health, were used in order to estimate the in-situ/invasive ratio. Results: Women who participate less regularly in screening are those residing in the Chorotega, Central Pacific and Huetar Caribbean regions. Compared to women in the Central region, women in these three regions are 80% (OR=1.80; p<0.01), 52% (OR=1.52; p=0.031) and 58% (OR=1.58; p<0.01) respectively more likely to have had a Pap screening 5 or more years ago, as compared to 1 to 2 years ago. Discussion: According to the results of this research, the Chorotega Region presents the most disadvantageous conditions in terms of the use of PAP, which represents a higher risk for women to develop lesions and cervical cancer. Conclusions: In order to reduce gaps and improve conditions of access to prevention, it is necessary to coordinate institutional efforts, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as the participation and protagonism of women., Introducción: el cáncer de cérvix es una de las enfermedades neoplásicas más frecuentes que afecta la salud de las mujeres en el mundo. Objetivo: determinar si existen diferencias entre regiones de Costa Rica en el uso del papanicoláu, con el fin de visualizar las inequidades relacionadas con la detección temprana del cáncer cérvico-uterino. Metodología: este estudio se realizó a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Hogares de 2014, la cual es representativa en el ámbito nacional. Se utilizó R-Studio para estimar dos modelos de regresión multinomial que explican el tiempo transcurrido desde el último papanicoláu y las razones por las que las mujeres nunca se habían realizado uno. Se recurrió a datos del Registro Nacional de Tumores del Ministerio de Salud para evaluar la razón in-situ/invasor. Resultados: en comparación con las residentes de la región Central, las mujeres de las regiones Chorotega, Pacífico Central y Huetar Caribe son respectivamente un 80 % (OR=1,80; p<0,01), un 52 % (OR=1,52; p=0,031) y un 58 % (OR=1,58; p<0,01) más propensas a haberse realizado la citología vaginal por última vez hace 5 años o más que hace 1 o 2 años. Discusión: de acuerdo con los resultados de la presente investigación, la Región Chorotega presenta las condiciones más desventajosas en cuanto a la práctica de PAP, esto implica un mayor riesgo de desarrollar lesiones y cáncer de cérvix. Conclusiones: en busca de reducir las brechas y mejorar las condiciones de acceso, es necesario coordinar y articular esfuerzos institucionales tanto gubernamentales como no gubernamentales, incluyendo la participación y el protagonismo de las mujeres.

Background: The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation are well established. However, it has an inherent challenge, namely the low attendance rate among older vulnerable patients, which illustrates the need for effective interventions. Peer mentoring is a low-cost intervention that has the potential to improve cardiac rehabilitation attendance and improve physical and psychological outcomes among older patients. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-mentor intervention among older vulnerable myocardial infarction patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: The study was conducted as a single-arm feasibility study and designed as a mixed methods intervention study. Patients admitted to a university hospital in Denmark between September 2020 and December 2020 received a 24-week peer-mentor intervention. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated based on five criteria by Orsmond and Cohn: (a) recruitment capability, (b) data-collection procedures, (c) intervention acceptability, (d) available resources, and (e) participant responses to the intervention. Data were collected through self-administrated questionnaires, closed-ended telephone interviews, semi-structured interviews, and document sheets. Results: Twenty patients were offered the peer-mentor intervention. The intervention proved feasible, with a low dropout rate and high acceptability. However, the original inclusion criteria only involved vulnerable women, and this proved not to be feasible, and were therefore revised to also include vulnerable male patients. Peer mentors (n = 17) were monitored during the intervention period, and the findings indicate that their mentoring role did not cause any harm. The peer-mentor intervention showed signs of effectiveness, as a high rate of cardiac rehabilitation attendance was achieved among patients. Quality of life also increased among patients. This was the case for emotional, physical, and global qualit

Background: The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation are well established. However, it has an inherent challenge, namely the low attendance rate among older vulnerable patients, which illustrates the need for effective interventions. Peer mentoring is a low-cost intervention that has the potential to improve cardiac rehabilitation attendance and improve physical and psychological outcomes among older patients. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-mentor intervention among older vulnerable myocardial infarction patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: The study was conducted as a single-arm feasibility study and designed as a mixed methods intervention study. Patients admitted to a university hospital in Denmark between September 2020 and December 2020 received a 24-week peer-mentor intervention. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated based on five criteria by Orsmond and Cohn: (a) recruitment capability, (b) data-collection procedures, (c) intervention acceptability, (d) available resources, and (e) participant responses to the intervention. Data were collected through self-administrated questionnaires, closed-ended telephone interviews, semi-structured interviews, and document sheets. Results: Twenty patients were offered the peer-mentor intervention. The intervention proved feasible, with a low dropout rate and high acceptability. However, the original inclusion criteria only involved vulnerable women, and this proved not to be feasible, and were therefore revised to also include vulnerable male patients. Peer mentors (n = 17) were monitored during the intervention period, and the findings indicate that their mentoring role did not cause any harm. The peer-mentor intervention showed signs of effectiveness, as a high rate of cardiac rehabilitation attendance was achieved among patients. Quality of life also increased among patients. This was the case for emotional, physical, and global qualit

Aims: To explore how maternal and child health nurses (MCHNs) working in a specific regionally located service perceive and experience delivering health care to a diverse population. Design: Qualitative exploratory study. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with MCHNs (N = 6) working in a particular regionally located service. Data were selectively coded, categorized and interpreted through a process of argument writing influenced by poststructuralist thought and Foucauldian conceptualizations of power. Results: The data analysed were interpreted into the following categories: (a) system-level expectations of the maternal and child health role; (b) what these system-level expectations mean for the role and practice of MCHNs; and (c) what MCHNs themselves report prioritizing in their work. The analysis suggests that a substantial hindrance to the development and support of culturally safe, inclusive and quality maternal and child health care lies in the very ways contemporary health institutions seek to discipline the routine practices of MCHNs.

OBJECTIVES. The aim was to provide an affordable method for computing socio-economic deprivation indices at regional level, to reveal the specific aspects of the relationship between socio-economic (SE) inequalities and health outcomes. The Umbria region Socio-Health Index (USHI) was computed and compared to the Italian National Deprivation Index at Umbria region level (NDI-U).METHODS. The USHI was computed by applying factor analysis to census tract SE variables correlated to the general mortality and validated in comparison with the NDI-U.RESULTS. Overall mortality presented linear positive USHI trends, while trends for NDI-U resulted non-linear or not-significant. Similar and relevant results were obtained for specific causes of death by deprivation groups, gender and age.CONCLUSIONS. The USHI better describes a local population by SE health-related status. Therefore, policy makers could adopt this method to obtain a better picture of SE-associated health conditions in regional population and target strategies for reducing inequalities in health.

OBJECTIVES. The aim was to provide an affordable method for computing socio-economic deprivation indices at regional level, to reveal the specific aspects of the relationship between socio-economic (SE) inequalities and health outcomes. The Umbria region Socio-Health Index (USHI) was computed and compared to the Italian National Deprivation Index at Umbria region level (NDI-U).METHODS. The USHI was computed by applying factor analysis to census tract SE variables correlated to the general mortality and validated in comparison with the NDI-U.RESULTS. Overall mortality presented linear positive USHI trends, while trends for NDI-U resulted non-linear or not-significant. Similar and relevant results were obtained for specific causes of death by deprivation groups, gender and age.CONCLUSIONS. The USHI better describes a local population by SE health-related status. Therefore, policy makers could adopt this method to obtain a better picture of SE-associated health conditions in regional population and target strategies for reducing inequalities in health.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Background: The burden of breast cancer is a key challenge for women's health globally. Rehabilitation needs and strategies for living with long-term consequences of breast cancer and its treatment cannot be isolated from the social contexts of patients, including relationships with relatives and healthcare professionals. Aim: This study explores how healthcare professionals’ categorisations engage with breast cancer patients’ social identities in encounters about rehabilitation before hospital discharge. Method: We conducted a multiperspective case-based qualitative study at a Danish department of breast surgery, including participant observations and interviews with twelve patients and eight nurses. Data were analysed thematically using theories of categorisation and clinical encounters. Ethical considerations: The Danish Data Protection Agency approved the study (journal number 2012-41-0701). Results: Interactions in clinical encounters are shaped by categorisations of patients’ social identities in terms of social resources and ethnicity, and by the resource-constrained organisational context, with impact on the assessments of the patient's rehabilitation needs. Conclusions: There is a need for a greater focus on improving encounters between breast cancer patients and healthcare professionals to ensure that rehabilitation needs are accommodated for among diverse patient groups.

Usually it is women who take care of family members in the home, but with age, gender differences become less pronounced and, from 80 years onwards, there are more men caring for a family member – generally their partner – than women. Social and demographic changes are presenting new challenges for public services. In particular, in two-person households with elderly inhabitants, one of whom is dependent, it is necessary to tackle not only the needs of the dependent partner but also those of the carer partner. For this reason, carer support programmes are needed.

Objectives The legitimacy of policies that aim at tackling socioeconomic inequalities in health can be challenged if they do not reflect the conceptualisations of health that are valued in all strata. Therefore, this study analyses how different socioeconomic groups formulate their own answers regarding: what does health mean to you? Design Concept mapping procedures were performed in three groups that differ in educational level. All procedures followed exactly the same design. Setting Area of the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Participants Lay persons with a lower, intermediate and higher educational level (±15/group). Results The concept maps for the three groups consisted of nine, eight and seven clusters each, respectively. Four clusters occurred in all groups: absence of disease/disabilities, health-related behaviours, social life, attitude towards life. The content of some of these differed between groups, for example, behaviours were interpreted as having opportunities to behave healthily in the lower education group, and in terms of their impact on health in the higher education group. Other clusters appeared to be specific for particular groups, such as autonomy (intermediate/higher education group). Finally, ranking ranged from a higher ranking of the positively formulated aspects in the higher education group (eg, lust for life) to that of the negatively formulated aspects in the lower education group (eg, having no chronic disease). Conclusion Our results provide indications to suggest that people in lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to show a conceptualisation of health that refers to (1) the absence of health threats (vs positive aspects), (2) a person within his/her circumstances (vs quality of own body/mind), (3) the value of functional (vs hedonistic) notions and (4) an accepting (vs active) attitude towards life.

Kvinnor rapporterar sämre självskattad hälsa än män och utlandsföddas psykiska välmående är sämre än svenskföddas. Delaktighet och inflytande har visats vara starkt sammankopplat med hälsa och det är därför viktigt med ett effektivt integrationsarbete för att skapa delaktighet och inflytande i det svenska samhället. Syftet med denna undersökning var att undersöka upplevelser och erfarenheter av integrationen i Sverige bland utlandsfödda kvinnor utifrån ett folkhälsoperspektiv. För att besvara syftet har en kvalitativ ansats använts och fem semistrukturerade intervjuer med utlandsfödda kvinnor i olika åldrar över 18 år genomfördes. Insamlade intervjudata analyserades genom en manifest innehållsanalys. I resultatet framkom att sociala nätverk, språk och arbete är tre viktiga aspekter för att integreras i det svenska samhället. Rädsla och ovilja inför nya kulturer kan förhindra individers möjligheter till att integreras samt att kulturkrockar kan försvåra integrationen. Det framkom även att det bör finnas ett tvärsektoriellt arbete mellan samhällsaktörer och att lättillgänglig information kan nås, för en lättare förståelse för kulturen i det nya landet. Slutsatsen är att det finns olika aspekter som utlandsfödda kvinnor upplever påverkar deras möjlighet till integration: upplevelser, underlättande faktorer och hinder för integration. Framtida beslutsfattare bör ha dessa i åtanke vid utformning av styrning och policy för integration., Women self-report worse health than men, and people born in a foreign country report lower psychological well-being than Swedish born people. Participation and influence within society directly correlate with health, therefore it is important to integrate people into society so that they can participate and gain influence. The purpose of this study is, using a public health perspective, to examine foreign born women’s relations and experiences of integration in Sweden. A qualitative approach was used to answer the purpose. Five semi-structured interviews have been conducted in Stockholm, Västerås and Gävle with foreign born women of 18 years and older. The collected interview data was analyzed using manifest content analysis. The results showed that social-networks, language, and occupation are three important aspects that contribute to successful integration. Fear and unwillingness to assimilate to different cultures in a new country can increase the difficulty of integration. To ease integration, the participants believed that a multi-sectoral approach is necessary, stakeholders in integration need to work together. The women further described that more information and transparency in information from stakeholders will increase their ability to successfully integrate into a new country. The conclusions are that there are three main aspects that foreign born women believe influence their possibility to integration: experiences, possibilities and obstacles. Future policy makers should regard these important aspects when presenting policies for integration.

Objective: to determine the inequalities in mortality due to specific causes related to socioeconomic characteristics in the municipalities of the Huila department, Colombia between 2009 and 2013. Methodology: an ecological study comparing mortality rates due to acute respiratory infection, stomach cancer, hypertensive and cerebrovascular disease, traffic accidents, homicide, diabetes and childhood mortality based on socioeconomic status according to the following socioeconomic variables: secondary education coverage, unsatisfied basic needs, rurality, economic sufficiency, municipality’s added value and water quality index. The study included the 37 municipalities of the Huila department. Age-adjusted rates were calculated using the direct method and the inequalities were measured by comparing against the described variables using rank, regression and disproportionality based measures. The Epidat 4.0 software was used for this purpose. Results: child mortality and mortality due to gastric cancer and hypertensive disease showed constant inequality regarding the assessed socioeconomic variables in the less favored municipalities. As for mortality due to acute respiratory infections and homicides, higher rates were observed in municipalities with better socioeconomic conditions. Conclusions: there is great variability in the socioeconomic conditions of the municipalities and the mortality rates due to the assessed events. The authors observed an acceptable correlation between the different measures of inequality used in the study., Objetivo: determinar as desigualdades na mortalidade por causas específicas relacionadas a características socioeconômicas nos municípios de Huila entre os anos de 2009 e 2013. Metodologia: estudo ecológico que comparou as mortalidades por infecção respiratória aguda, câncer de estômago, doenças hipertensivas e acidentes vasculares cerebrais, acidentes de trânsito, homicídio, diabetes e mortalidade na infância com base na situação socioeconômica segundo as variáveis socioeconômicas cobertura do ensino médio, NBI, Ruralidade, Suficiência Econômica; Valor Agregado Municipal e o Índice de Qualidade da Água nos 37 municípios de Huila. Foram calculadas as taxas ajustadas por idade com o método direto e a medição de desigualdades, confrontando-as com as variáveis descritas, a partir da utilização de medidas baseadas no intervalo, em regressão e em desproporcionalidade, utilizando-se o software Epidat 4.0. Resultados: na mortalidade por câncer gástrico, por doenças hipertensivas e na mortalidade na infância foram identificadas constantes desigualdades em relação às variáveis socioeconômicas avaliadas contrárias aos municípios menos favorecidos. Para a mortalidade por infecções respiratórias agudas e homicídios, foram observadas maiores taxas nos municípios com melhores condições socioeconômicas. Conclusões: existe uma grande variedade entre as condições socioeconômicas dos municípios e entre as mortalidades para os eventos avaliados, observando-se uma correlação aceitável entre as diferentes medidas de desigualdade utilizadas., Introducción: Las condiciones en que la gente nace, vive, trabaja y envejece se relacionan con la situación de salud. La cuantificación de diferencias en estas condiciones confrontadas con variables sanitarias es medición de desigualdades.Objetivo: Determinar las desigualdades en la mortalidad por causas específicas relacionadas con características socioeconómicas en municipios del Huila 2009-2013.Materiales y métodos: Estudio ecológico que comparó las mortalidades por infección respiratoria aguda, cáncer de estómago, enfermedades hipertensivas y cerebrovasculares, accidentes de tránsito, homicidio, diabetes y mortalidad en niñez con base en su situación socioeconómica según las variables socioeconómicas cobertura de educación media, NBI, Ruralidad, Suficiencia Económica; Valor Agregado Municipal y el Índice de Calidad del Agua en los 37 municipios del Huila. Se calcularon tasas ajustadas por edad con el método directo y medición de desigualdades confrontando las variables descritas, usando medidas basadas en rango, en regresión y en desproporcionalidad, usando el software Epidat 4.0. Resultados: En la mortalidad por cáncer gástrico, por enfermedades hipertensivas y la mortalidad en niñez se identificó constante desigualdad frente a las variables socioeconómicas evaluadas en contra de los municipios menos favorecidos. En la mortalidad por infecciones respiratorias agudas y homicidios se observaron mayores tasas en los municipios con mejores condiciones socioeconómicas. Conclusiones: Existe gran variabilidad entre los condiciones socioeconómicas de los municipios y entre las mortalidades por los eventos evaluados, observando aceptable correlación entre las diferentes medidas de desigualdades utilizadas.

Kvinnor rapporterar sämre självskattad hälsa än män och utlandsföddas psykiska välmående är sämre än svenskföddas. Delaktighet och inflytande har visats vara starkt sammankopplat med hälsa och det är därför viktigt med ett effektivt integrationsarbete för att skapa delaktighet och inflytande i det svenska samhället. Syftet med denna undersökning var att undersöka upplevelser och erfarenheter av integrationen i Sverige bland utlandsfödda kvinnor utifrån ett folkhälsoperspektiv. För att besvara syftet har en kvalitativ ansats använts och fem semistrukturerade intervjuer med utlandsfödda kvinnor i olika åldrar över 18 år genomfördes. Insamlade intervjudata analyserades genom en manifest innehållsanalys. I resultatet framkom att sociala nätverk, språk och arbete är tre viktiga aspekter för att integreras i det svenska samhället. Rädsla och ovilja inför nya kulturer kan förhindra individers möjligheter till att integreras samt att kulturkrockar kan försvåra integrationen. Det framkom även att det bör finnas ett tvärsektoriellt arbete mellan samhällsaktörer och att lättillgänglig information kan nås, för en lättare förståelse för kulturen i det nya landet. Slutsatsen är att det finns olika aspekter som utlandsfödda kvinnor upplever påverkar deras möjlighet till integration: upplevelser, underlättande faktorer och hinder för integration. Framtida beslutsfattare bör ha dessa i åtanke vid utformning av styrning och policy för integration., Women self-report worse health than men, and people born in a foreign country report lower psychological well-being than Swedish born people. Participation and influence within society directly correlate with health, therefore it is important to integrate people into society so that they can participate and gain influence. The purpose of this study is, using a public health perspective, to examine foreign born women’s relations and experiences of integration in Sweden. A qualitative approach was used to answer the purpose. Five semi-structured interviews have been conducted in Stockholm, Västerås and Gävle with foreign born women of 18 years and older. The collected interview data was analyzed using manifest content analysis. The results showed that social-networks, language, and occupation are three important aspects that contribute to successful integration. Fear and unwillingness to assimilate to different cultures in a new country can increase the difficulty of integration. To ease integration, the participants believed that a multi-sectoral approach is necessary, stakeholders in integration need to work together. The women further described that more information and transparency in information from stakeholders will increase their ability to successfully integrate into a new country. The conclusions are that there are three main aspects that foreign born women believe influence their possibility to integration: experiences, possibilities and obstacles. Future policy makers should regard these important aspects when presenting policies for integration.

Ojämlikhet i hälsa kan bero på flertalet orsaker, exempelvis graden av delaktighet och inflytande i samhället. En grupp som vanligen isoleras från samhället är flyktingar, vars anpassning till det nya landet kan vara påfrestande samtidigt som de drabbas av psykiska, fysiska och sociala svårigheter. Av den anledningen krävs interventioner i syfte att underlätta integrationsprocessen samt skapa förutsättningar för en tillfredsställande och hälsosam tillvaro i det nya samhället. Studiens syfte var att undersöka genomförarnas uppfattningar av arbetet med integrationssatsningen för flyktingpojkar på Salaortens Ryttarförening. En kvalitativ metod användes för att besvara syftet och data samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer där sex personer som arbetat med integrationssatsningen deltog. Insamlad data analyserades genom en manifest kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet visade att integrationssatsningen genererat flertalet positiva effekter gällande flyktingarnas mående. Det upplevdes finnas goda möjligheter kopplade till integration av flyktingar genom hästar och stallmiljö. Dessa möjligheter berörde inte enbart ökade förutsättningar för hälsa hos flyktingar, utan kunde även kopplas till en utveckling hos andra ungdomar och medlemmar i föreningen. Studien tyder på att hästar och stallmiljö torde kunna stödja integrationsprocessen hos flyktingar på liknande sätt som lagsporter, samtidigt som stallets unika miljö bringar ytterligare fördelar i form av exempelvis trygghet och vänskapligt stöd från hästen., Inequalities in health can be due to several reasons, including the degree of involvement and influence in the society. One group of people commonly isolated from society is refugees, whose adaption to the new country can be stressful. Meanwhile, they often suffer from psychological, physical and social difficulties. Therefore, interventions to facilitate the integration process and creating conditions to a satisfying and healthy life in the new society are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementers perceptions of working with the refugee integration projects implemented by Salaortens Ryttarförening. A qualitative method was used to answer the purpose, and data was collected by the use of six semi structured interviews. The collected data was analyzed with a manifest qualitative content analysis. Results showed that the refugee integration project had generated several positive effects related to the wellbeing of the refugees. It was perceived that good possibilities related to integration could be achieved through interaction with horses and being in a stable. These possibilities did not only affect the refugees through improved health conditions, but also affected the adolescents, and other members of Salaortens Ryttarförening. The study indicates that involvement with horses and the the environment regarding stables should support the integration process regarding refugees, similar to team sports. Meanwhile the unique environment of the stable can bring further benefits like a sense of security and friendly support from the horse.

Ojämlikhet i hälsa kan bero på flertalet orsaker, exempelvis graden av delaktighet och inflytande i samhället. En grupp som vanligen isoleras från samhället är flyktingar, vars anpassning till det nya landet kan vara påfrestande samtidigt som de drabbas av psykiska, fysiska och sociala svårigheter. Av den anledningen krävs interventioner i syfte att underlätta integrationsprocessen samt skapa förutsättningar för en tillfredsställande och hälsosam tillvaro i det nya samhället. Studiens syfte var att undersöka genomförarnas uppfattningar av arbetet med integrationssatsningen för flyktingpojkar på Salaortens Ryttarförening. En kvalitativ metod användes för att besvara syftet och data samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer där sex personer som arbetat med integrationssatsningen deltog. Insamlad data analyserades genom en manifest kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet visade att integrationssatsningen genererat flertalet positiva effekter gällande flyktingarnas mående. Det upplevdes finnas goda möjligheter kopplade till integration av flyktingar genom hästar och stallmiljö. Dessa möjligheter berörde inte enbart ökade förutsättningar för hälsa hos flyktingar, utan kunde även kopplas till en utveckling hos andra ungdomar och medlemmar i föreningen. Studien tyder på att hästar och stallmiljö torde kunna stödja integrationsprocessen hos flyktingar på liknande sätt som lagsporter, samtidigt som stallets unika miljö bringar ytterligare fördelar i form av exempelvis trygghet och vänskapligt stöd från hästen., Inequalities in health can be due to several reasons, including the degree of involvement and influence in the society. One group of people commonly isolated from society is refugees, whose adaption to the new country can be stressful. Meanwhile, they often suffer from psychological, physical and social difficulties. Therefore, interventions to facilitate the integration process and creating conditions to a satisfying and healthy life in the new society are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementers perceptions of working with the refugee integration projects implemented by Salaortens Ryttarförening. A qualitative method was used to answer the purpose, and data was collected by the use of six semi structured interviews. The collected data was analyzed with a manifest qualitative content analysis. Results showed that the refugee integration project had generated several positive effects related to the wellbeing of the refugees. It was perceived that good possibilities related to integration could be achieved through interaction with horses and being in a stable. These possibilities did not only affect the refugees through improved health conditions, but also affected the adolescents, and other members of Salaortens Ryttarförening. The study indicates that involvement with horses and the the environment regarding stables should support the integration process regarding refugees, similar to team sports. Meanwhile the unique environment of the stable can bring further benefits like a sense of security and friendly support from the horse.

Background: Preventable mortality is a good indicator of possible problems to be investigated in the primary prevention chain, making it also a useful tool with which to evaluate health policies particularly public health policies. This study describes inequalities in preventable avoidable mortality in relation to socioeconomic status in small urban areas of thirty three Spanish cities, and analyses their evolution over the course of the periods 1996–2001 and 2002–2007. Methods: We analysed census tracts and all deaths occurring in the population residing in these cities from 1996 to 2007 were taken into account. The causes included in the study were lung cancer, cirrhosis, AIDS/HIV, motor vehicle traffic accidents injuries, suicide and homicide. The census tracts were classified into three groups, according their socioeconomic level. To analyse inequalities in mortality risks between the highest and lowest socioeconomic levels and over different periods, for each city and separating by sex, Poisson regression were used. Results: Preventable avoidable mortality made a significant contribution to general mortality (around 7.5%, higher among men), having decreased over time in men (12.7 in 1996–2001 and 10.9 in 2002–2007), though not so clearly among women (3.3% in 1996–2001 and 2.9% in 2002–2007). It has been observed in men that the risks of death are higher in areas of greater deprivation, and that these excesses have not modified over time. The result in women is different and differences in mortality risks by socioeconomic level could not be established in many cities. Conclusions: Preventable mortality decreased between the 1996–2001 and 2002–2007 periods, more markedly in men than in women. There were socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in most cities analysed, associating a higher risk of death with higher levels of deprivation. Inequalities have remained over the two periods analysed. This study makes it possible to identify those areas where excess preve

Background: Preventable mortality is a good indicator of possible problems to be investigated in the primary prevention chain, making it also a useful tool with which to evaluate health policies particularly public health policies. This study describes inequalities in preventable avoidable mortality in relation to socioeconomic status in small urban areas of thirty three Spanish cities, and analyses their evolution over the course of the periods 1996–2001 and 2002–2007. Methods: We analysed census tracts and all deaths occurring in the population residing in these cities from 1996 to 2007 were taken into account. The causes included in the study were lung cancer, cirrhosis, AIDS/HIV, motor vehicle traffic accidents injuries, suicide and homicide. The census tracts were classified into three groups, according their socioeconomic level. To analyse inequalities in mortality risks between the highest and lowest socioeconomic levels and over different periods, for each city and separating by sex, Poisson regression were used. Results: Preventable avoidable mortality made a significant contribution to general mortality (around 7.5%, higher among men), having decreased over time in men (12.7 in 1996–2001 and 10.9 in 2002–2007), though not so clearly among women (3.3% in 1996–2001 and 2.9% in 2002–2007). It has been observed in men that the risks of death are higher in areas of greater deprivation, and that these excesses have not modified over time. The result in women is different and differences in mortality risks by socioeconomic level could not be established in many cities. Conclusions: Preventable mortality decreased between the 1996–2001 and 2002–2007 periods, more markedly in men than in women. There were socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in most cities analysed, associating a higher risk of death with higher levels of deprivation. Inequalities have remained over the two periods analysed. This study makes it possible to identify those areas where excess preve

En viktig determinant för hälsa är delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden. Det framkommer att denna delaktighet inte alltid är lika stor för alla grupper i samhället. Andelen individer med olika former av funktionsnedsättningar som är delaktiga på arbetsmarknaden är lägre jämfört med den övriga arbetsföra befolkningen. Detta kan betraktas som en orsak till ojämlik i hälsa.Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur individer med psykiska funktionsnedsättningar samt inlärningssvårigheter upplever att delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden påverkar deras hälsa. För att besvara syftet användes en kvalitativ metod med sex halvstrukturerade intervjuer som datainsamlingsmetod. Det insamlade datamaterialet analyserades med hjälp av en manifest innehållsanalys. Resultatet i studien visar på att sådant som hindrar delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden bland annat var avsaknad av stöd men också krav. En sen upptäckt av funktionsnedsättningen upplevs även det hindrande för delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden. Främjande för delaktighet var erhållande av stöd och krav samt att den omgivande miljön är förstående för vad som kan behövas vid en funktionsnedsättning. Det framkommer också att delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden har positiv betydelse för den självupplevda hälsan. Slutsatser som kan dras av denna studie är bland annat att funktionsnedsattas delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden är ett viktigt område att arbeta med för att minska ojämlikhet i hälsa., An important determinant of health is participation in the labour market. It appears that participation in the labour market not always is equal for all groups in the society. The proportion of individuals with various forms of disabilities involved in the labour market is lower in comparison with rest of the working population. This is something that can be seen as a cause of inequality in health.The purpose of this study was to examine how individuals with psychological impairments and learning disabilities experience that participation in the labour market affects their health. To answer the purpose of this study a qualitative method with six semi-structured interviews was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed with a manifest content analysis. The results of the study indicate that barriers for participation in the labour market were the lack of support but also demands. A late discovery of the disability is experienced to be a barrier for participation in the labour market. Promoting factors for the participation was to receive support and demands as well as a surrounding environment that understands what might be needed in the event of a disability. The results also indicate that participation in the labour market has positive effects on self-perceived levels of health. Conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that disabled people's participation in the labour market is an important area that requires work, in order to reduce health inequalities.

Background: Preventable mortality is a good indicator of possible problems to be investigated in the primary prevention chain, making it also a useful tool with which to evaluate health policies particularly public health policies. This study describes inequalities in preventable avoidable mortality in relation to socioeconomic status in small urban areas of thirty three Spanish cities, and analyses their evolution over the course of the periods 1996–2001 and 2002–2007. Methods: We analysed census tracts and all deaths occurring in the population residing in these cities from 1996 to 2007 were taken into account. The causes included in the study were lung cancer, cirrhosis, AIDS/HIV, motor vehicle traffic accidents injuries, suicide and homicide. The census tracts were classified into three groups, according their socioeconomic level. To analyse inequalities in mortality risks between the highest and lowest socioeconomic levels and over different periods, for each city and separating by sex, Poisson regression were used. Results: Preventable avoidable mortality made a significant contribution to general mortality (around 7.5%, higher among men), having decreased over time in men (12.7 in 1996–2001 and 10.9 in 2002–2007), though not so clearly among women (3.3% in 1996–2001 and 2.9% in 2002–2007). It has been observed in men that the risks of death are higher in areas of greater deprivation, and that these excesses have not modified over time. The result in women is different and differences in mortality risks by socioeconomic level could not be established in many cities. Conclusions: Preventable mortality decreased between the 1996–2001 and 2002–2007 periods, more markedly in men than in women. There were socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in most cities analysed, associating a higher risk of death with higher levels of deprivation. Inequalities have remained over the two periods analysed. This study makes it possible to identify those areas where excess preve

People with limiting longstanding illness and low education may experience problems in the labor market. Reduced employment protection that maintains economic security for the individual, known as flexicurity, has been proposed as a way to increase overall employment. We compared the development of labor market policies and employment rates from 1990 to 2010 in Denmark and the Netherlands (representing flexicurity), the United Kingdom, and Sweden. Employment rates in all countries were much lower in the target group than for other groups over the study period. However, flexicurity as practiced in Denmark, far from being a magic bullet, appeared to fail low-educated people with longstanding illness in particular. The Swedish policy, on the other hand, with higher employment protection and higher economic security, particularly earlier in the study period, led to higher employment rates in this group. Findings also revealed that economic security policies in all countries were eroding and shifting toward individual responsibility. Finally, results showed that active labor market policies need to be subcategorized to better understand which types are best suited for the target group. Increasing employment among the target group could reduce adverse health consequences and contribute to decreasing inequalities in health.

En viktig determinant för hälsa är delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden. Det framkommer att denna delaktighet inte alltid är lika stor för alla grupper i samhället. Andelen individer med olika former av funktionsnedsättningar som är delaktiga på arbetsmarknaden är lägre jämfört med den övriga arbetsföra befolkningen. Detta kan betraktas som en orsak till ojämlik i hälsa.Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur individer med psykiska funktionsnedsättningar samt inlärningssvårigheter upplever att delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden påverkar deras hälsa. För att besvara syftet användes en kvalitativ metod med sex halvstrukturerade intervjuer som datainsamlingsmetod. Det insamlade datamaterialet analyserades med hjälp av en manifest innehållsanalys. Resultatet i studien visar på att sådant som hindrar delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden bland annat var avsaknad av stöd men också krav. En sen upptäckt av funktionsnedsättningen upplevs även det hindrande för delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden. Främjande för delaktighet var erhållande av stöd och krav samt att den omgivande miljön är förstående för vad som kan behövas vid en funktionsnedsättning. Det framkommer också att delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden har positiv betydelse för den självupplevda hälsan. Slutsatser som kan dras av denna studie är bland annat att funktionsnedsattas delaktighet på arbetsmarknaden är ett viktigt område att arbeta med för att minska ojämlikhet i hälsa., An important determinant of health is participation in the labour market. It appears that participation in the labour market not always is equal for all groups in the society. The proportion of individuals with various forms of disabilities involved in the labour market is lower in comparison with rest of the working population. This is something that can be seen as a cause of inequality in health.The purpose of this study was to examine how individuals with psychological impairments and learning disabilities experience that participation in the labour market affects their health. To answer the purpose of this study a qualitative method with six semi-structured interviews was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed with a manifest content analysis. The results of the study indicate that barriers for participation in the labour market were the lack of support but also demands. A late discovery of the disability is experienced to be a barrier for participation in the labour market. Promoting factors for the participation was to receive support and demands as well as a surrounding environment that understands what might be needed in the event of a disability. The results also indicate that participation in the labour market has positive effects on self-perceived levels of health. Conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that disabled people's participation in the labour market is an important area that requires work, in order to reduce health inequalities.

Background: While research continues into indicators such as preventable and amenable mortality in order to evaluate quality, access, and equity in the healthcare, it is also necessary to continue identifying the areas of greatest risk owing to these causes of death in urban areas of large cities, where a large part of the population is concentrated, in order to carry out specific actions and reduce inequalities in mortality. This study describes inequalities in amenable mortality in relation to socioeconomic status in small urban areas, and analyses their evolution over the course of the periods 1996–99, 2000–2003 and 2004–2007 in three major cities in the Spanish Mediterranean coast (Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia). Methods: All deaths attributed to amenable causes were analysed among non-institutionalised residents in the three cities studied over the course of the study periods. Census tracts for the cities were grouped into 3 socioeconomic status levels, from higher to lower levels of deprivation, using 5 indicators obtained from the 2001 Spanish Population Census. For each city, the relative risks of death were estimated between socioeconomic status levels using Poisson’s Regression models, adjusted for age and study period, and distinguishing between genders. Results: Amenable mortality contributes significantly to general mortality (around 10%, higher among men), having decreased over time in the three cities studied for men and women. In the three cities studied, with a high degree of consistency, it has been seen that the risks of mortality are greater in areas of higher deprivation, and that these excesses have not significantly modified over time. Conclusions: Although amenable mortality decreases over the time period studied, the socioeconomic inequalities observed are maintained in the three cities. Areas have been identified that display excesses in amenable mortality, potentially attributable to differences in the healthcare system, associated wit

Background: While research continues into indicators such as preventable and amenable mortality in order to evaluate quality, access, and equity in the healthcare, it is also necessary to continue identifying the areas of greatest risk owing to these causes of death in urban areas of large cities, where a large part of the population is concentrated, in order to carry out specific actions and reduce inequalities in mortality. This study describes inequalities in amenable mortality in relation to socioeconomic status in small urban areas, and analyses their evolution over the course of the periods 1996–99, 2000–2003 and 2004–2007 in three major cities in the Spanish Mediterranean coast (Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia). Methods: All deaths attributed to amenable causes were analysed among non-institutionalised residents in the three cities studied over the course of the study periods. Census tracts for the cities were grouped into 3 socioeconomic status levels, from higher to lower levels of deprivation, using 5 indicators obtained from the 2001 Spanish Population Census. For each city, the relative risks of death were estimated between socioeconomic status levels using Poisson’s Regression models, adjusted for age and study period, and distinguishing between genders. Results: Amenable mortality contributes significantly to general mortality (around 10%, higher among men), having decreased over time in the three cities studied for men and women. In the three cities studied, with a high degree of consistency, it has been seen that the risks of mortality are greater in areas of higher deprivation, and that these excesses have not significantly modified over time. Conclusions: Although amenable mortality decreases over the time period studied, the socioeconomic inequalities observed are maintained in the three cities. Areas have been identified that display excesses in amenable mortality, potentially attributable to differences in the healthcare system, associated wit

The thesis studies on the inequalities in health as an issue of the subject Health Economics. Inequalities in health is also known as a consequence of the inequalities in socioeconomic status and factors such as income, age, gender, education, employment status, place of residence, and etc. Due to the limitation on time and data, the thesis focuses on the urban individual statistics of China in the year 2002. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how and to what extent different factors had the impact on health in an individual perspective. One of the more surprising results is that income is found to be somehow quite unimportant to health. In comparison, employment status was rather decisive to health – the unemployed people had much poorer self-reported health than the employed, even the retired ones. Similarly, health was also significantly differed by the many places of residence. Gender difference was important as well, for females had worse self-reported health than males. Completed tertiary education could effectively improve heath, rather than the lower levels. Hopefully, the study can help to explain or insinuate the problems in the Chinese society and the health system, which can therefore support any future research works and social reforms.

This paper examines the current development and influence of health economics to efficiency, equity and inequality issues. Besides, the current status of public and private sectors and their collaboration with health care provision and financing systems is showed. The results suggest that future evolution of health economics will create useful tools for improving quality and equity in access to health care services. Nevertheless, to obtain a comprehensive vision in relation with health economics studies, it is advisable to use a set of complementary measures., Este trabajo estudia el desarrollo e influencia actual de la economía de la salud en lo referente a los aspectos de eficiencia, equidad y desigualdades. Además, se muestra el estado actual del papel del sector público y privado así como su colaboración en la provisión y producción de servicios sanitarios. Los resultados obtenidos implican que la prospectiva de evolución de esta disciplina seguirá creando herramientas útiles en cuanto a ser aplicadas para conse¬guir mejorar la calidad de la atención sanitaria y la equidad en el acceso de sus ciudadanos. No obstante, para obtener una visión global en estudios de economía de la salud, es aconsejable utilizar varias medidas que se complementen entre sí.

Health inequalities remain a cause of concern for policymakers across the world. However, the measurement and monitoring of health inequalities over time and across countries remain a research challenge. The concentration index is one of the most popular measurement tools, however, it presents several drawbacks, especially for bounded variables, which are discussed in this study. Results from the European Community Household Panel dataset and the Statistics of Income and Living Conditions for Europe suggest that there is evidence of persistent socioeconomic inequalities in health in Europe. Further, results show the need of reporting both absolute and relative inequalities for appropriately monitoring and comparing trends in health inequalities across countries., Las desigualdades en salud siguen siendo prioritarias en la agenda política de los países. Sin embargo, la medida y la monitorización de dichas desigualdades en el tiempo y entre países continúan siendo un desafío para los investigadores. El Índice de Concentración es una de las herramientas más utilizadas; sin embargo, éste presenta limitaciones, especialmente para variables limitadas, que son comentadas en este estudio. Los resultados obtenidos a partir del Panel de Hogares de la Unión Europea y las Estadísticas de Renta y Condiciones de Vida Europea demuestran que existen desigualdades socioeconómicas en salud en Europa persistentes en el tiempo. Además, de los resultados se desprende la necesidad de mostrar las desigualdades tanto absolutas como relativas, para realizar el seguimiento adecuado de las mismas y asimismo, favorecer la comparación de las desigualdades en salud entre países.

Health inequalities remain a cause of concern for policymakers across the world. However, the measurement and monitoring of health inequalities over time and across countries remain a research challenge. The concentration index is one of the most popular measurement tools, however, it presents several drawbacks, especially for bounded variables, which are discussed in this study. Results from the European Community Household Panel dataset and the Statistics of Income and Living Conditions for Europe suggest that there is evidence of persistent socioeconomic inequalities in health in Europe. Further, results show the need of reporting both absolute and relative inequalities for appropriately monitoring and comparing trends in health inequalities across countries., Las desigualdades en salud siguen siendo prioritarias en la agenda política de los países. Sin embargo, la medida y la monitorización de dichas desigualdades en el tiempo y entre países continúan siendo un desafío para los investigadores. El Índice de Concentración es una de las herramientas más utilizadas; sin embargo, éste presenta limitaciones, especialmente para variables limitadas, que son comentadas en este estudio. Los resultados obtenidos a partir del Panel de Hogares de la Unión Europea y las Estadísticas de Renta y Condiciones de Vida Europea demuestran que existen desigualdades socioeconómicas en salud en Europa persistentes en el tiempo. Además, de los resultados se desprende la necesidad de mostrar las desigualdades tanto absolutas como relativas, para realizar el seguimiento adecuado de las mismas y asimismo, favorecer la comparación de las desigualdades en salud entre países.

This paper examines the current development and influence of health economics to efficiency, equity and inequality issues. Besides, the current status of public and private sectors and their collaboration with health care provision and financing systems is showed. The results suggest that future evolution of health economics will create useful tools for improving quality and equity in access to health care services. Nevertheless, to obtain a comprehensive vision in relation with health economics studies, it is advisable to use a set of complementary measures., Este trabajo estudia el desarrollo e influencia actual de la economía de la salud en lo referente a los aspectos de eficiencia, equidad y desigualdades. Además, se muestra el estado actual del papel del sector público y privado así como su colaboración en la provisión y producción de servicios sanitarios. Los resultados obtenidos implican que la prospectiva de evolución de esta disciplina seguirá creando herramientas útiles en cuanto a ser aplicadas para conse¬guir mejorar la calidad de la atención sanitaria y la equidad en el acceso de sus ciudadanos. No obstante, para obtener una visión global en estudios de economía de la salud, es aconsejable utilizar varias medidas que se complementen entre sí.

The thesis studies on the inequalities in health as an issue of the subject Health Economics. Inequalities in health is also known as a consequence of the inequalities in socioeconomic status and factors such as income, age, gender, education, employment status, place of residence, and etc. Due to the limitation on time and data, the thesis focuses on the urban individual statistics of China in the year 2002. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how and to what extent different factors had the impact on health in an individual perspective. One of the more surprising results is that income is found to be somehow quite unimportant to health. In comparison, employment status was rather decisive to health – the unemployed people had much poorer self-reported health than the employed, even the retired ones. Similarly, health was also significantly differed by the many places of residence. Gender difference was important as well, for females had worse self-reported health than males. Completed tertiary education could effectively improve heath, rather than the lower levels. Hopefully, the study can help to explain or insinuate the problems in the Chinese society and the health system, which can therefore support any future research works and social reforms.

Uvod: Najveći doprinos nejednakostima u zdravlju, koje postoje kako unutar, tako i između zemalja širom sveta, pripisuje se socijalno-ekonomskim determinantama zdravlja. Što je socijalno-ekonomsko stanje ljudi gore, to je veća verovatnoća da sopstveno zdravlje procenjuju kao lošije uz češće prisustvo zdravstvenih simptoma i hroničnih stanja. Cilj ove disertacije bio je da se ispita povezanost demografskih i socijalno-ekonomskih determinanti sa obolevanjem stanovništva, da se konstruišu indeksi obolevanja uz procenu njihove pouzdanosti i validnosti, i da se izvrši analiza i poređenje socijalno-ekonomskih nejednakosti u zdravlju u 2000. i 2006. godini. Metod: U ovoj studiji korišćeni su podaci iz dva nacionalna ispitivanja zdravstvenog stanja stanovnika Republike Srbije, sprovedenih 2000. i 2006. godine po tipu studije preseka na reprezentativnom uzorku odraslih osoba uzrasta 20 i više godina (9921 u prvom i 14.522 u drugom ispitivanju). Kao instrument ispitivanja zdravlja stanovnika korišćeni su upitnici. Rezultati: Kao najučestaliji prediktori obolevanja stanovništva izdvojile su se sledeće varijable: pol, godine starosti, obrazovanje, radni status i materijalno stanje domaćinstva. Ispitanici sa nižim obrazovanjem (UO=2,69 u 2000. godini; UO=3,08 u 2006. godini), nezaposleni (UO=1,24 u 2000. godini; UO=1,53 u 2006. godini), neaktivno stanovništvo (UO=1,58 u 2000. godini; UO=1,96 u 2006. godini) i oni sa lošijim materijalnim stanjem domaćinstva (UO=4,34 u 2000. godini; UO=5,03 u 2006. godini) češće procenjuju svoje zdravlje kao loše. Vrednosti korišćenih indeksa obolevanja su veće u istraživanju iz 2000. godine, što ukazuje na bolje zdravstveno stanje stanovništva u 2006. godini..., Introduction: The greatest contribution to inequalities in health both within and between countries is attributable to the socioeconomic determinants of health. The lower the socioeconomic status, the higher the probability of reporting a poor self-perceived health and the higher the prevalence of health problems and cronic conditions. The aim of this doctoral dissertation was to examine the associations between demographic, socioeconomic determinants and morbidity of the population, to construct morbidity indices with assessment of their reliability and validity, and to analyze and compare socioeconomic inequalities in health between 2000 and 2006. Methods: Data from the 2000 and the 2006 National Health Surveys for Serbia were used, conducted as cross-sectional studies on a representative sample of adults aged 20 years and over (9921 in the first survey and 14,522 in the second survey). The information on population health was obtained from the questionnaires. Results: The most frequent predictors of morbidity of the population are: gender, age, education, employment status and financial situation of the household. Respondents with lower education (OR=2,69 in year 2000; OR=3,08 in year 2006), unemployed (OR=1,24 in year 2000; OR=1,53 in year 2006), inactive (OR=1,58 in year 2000; OR=1,96 in year 2006) and those with worse financial situation of the household (OR=4,34 in year 2000; OR=5,03 in year 2006) were more likely to report poor self-perceived health. The values of used morbidity indices were higher in 2000 National Health Survey, which implies better health status of the population in 2006...