Citation

Link BG, Northridge ME, Phelan JC, Ganz ML. Milbank Q. 1998; 76(3): 375-402, 304-5.

Affiliation

Epidemiology of Mental Disorders, Columbia University School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Milbank Memorial Fund, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9738168

Abstract

Since the early 1800s, studies have consistently demonstrated that people higher in the socioeconomic hierarchy live longer than people of lower rank. One hypothesis for the persistence of this association is that people who are relatively better off are more able to avoid risks by adopting currently available protective strategies. In a partial test of this idea, the social distributions of two cancer screening tests--Pap smears and mammography--were examined. A review of the literature and an analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data showed a consistent association between indicators of socioeconomic status and recent screening. These findings support the theory that societies create and shape patterns of disease. Innovations beneficial to health are carried out within the context of inequalities that shape the distribution of the health benefit, thereby affecting patterns of morality.

Language: en