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Introduction

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Rethinking Social Epidemiology

Abstract

Social epidemiology is now widely accepted as a legitimate area of inquiry, with a vast number of practicing social epidemiologists in universities, ­public health departments and other venues throughout the world. Social epidemiologists have focused on demonstrating the impact of growing social and health inequalities worldwide and have repeatedly demonstrated that health status is not distributed equally in society. Yet an almost exclusive focus on the existence and growth of gaps in income or health alone will not inform effective solutions. Social epidemiology risks exclusion from contributing to the formulation of solutions if our field continues to simply emphasize empirical studies demonstrating the existence of a variety of different health inequalities. We seek to challenge social epidemiology to “rethink its current practice” and adopt a greater focus on generating evidence required to “take action” to alleviate conditions of marginalization and poverty (i.e., solution-focused research). We review a number of challenges facing the field that prevent social epidemiologists from participating in the formulation of solutions to these growing social problems and health inequities. We provide an overview of the topics of the chapters in this volume intended to provide a vision of social epidemiology as a science of change.

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Abbreviations

CIHR:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

TANF:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, M5B 1W8, ON, Canada

    Patricia O’Campo

  2. Department of Health, Aging and Society, McMaster University, Kenneth Taylor Hall 226, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4L8, ON, Canada

    James R. Dunn

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  1. Patricia O’Campo
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Correspondence to Patricia O’Campo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Michael’s Hospital, Bond Street 30, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Ontario, Canada

    Patricia O’Campo

  2. , McMaster University, Department of Health, Aging and Society, Main Street West 1280, Hamilton, L8S 4L8, Ontario, Canada

    James R. Dunn

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O’Campo, P., Dunn, J.R. (2012). Introduction. In: O’Campo, P., Dunn, J. (eds) Rethinking Social Epidemiology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2138-8_1

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