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Health Inequalities through the Lens of Health-Capital Theory: Issues, Solutions, and Future Directions

In: Health and Inequality

Author

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  • Titus J. Galama
  • Hans van Kippersluis

Abstract

We explore what health-capital theory has to offer in terms of informing and directing research into health inequality. We argue that economic theory can help in identifying mechanisms through which specific socioeconomic indicators and health interact. Our reading of the literature, and our own work, leads us to conclude that non-degenerate versions of theGrossman (1972a, 1972b)model and its extensions can explain many salient stylized facts on health inequalities. Yet, further development is required in at least two directions. First, a childhood phase needs to be incorporated, in recognition of the importance of childhood endowments and investments in the determination of later-life socioeconomic and health outcomes. Second, a unified theory of joint investment in skill (or human) capital and in health capital could provide a basis for a theory of the relationship between education and health.

Suggested Citation

  • Titus J. Galama & Hans van Kippersluis, 2013. "Health Inequalities through the Lens of Health-Capital Theory: Issues, Solutions, and Future Directions," Research on Economic Inequality, in: Health and Inequality, volume 21, pages 263-284, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:reinzz:s1049-2585(2013)0000021013
    DOI: 10.1108/S1049-2585(2013)0000021013
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Salman Arif Mir & Waqas Shair & Saem Hussain & Said Aleemuddin, 2023. "Factors Influencing Household Satisfaction with Public Healthcare Services," Journal of Policy Research (JPR), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 9(2), pages 422-432.
    2. Chakrabarty, Debajyoti & Bhatia, Bhanu & Jayasinghe, Maneka & Low, David, 2023. "Relative deprivation, inequality and the Covid-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health; inequality; socioeconomic status; human capital theory; D91; I12; I14;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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