Social Inequalities and Emerging Infectious Diseases
1996

Social Inequalities and Emerging Infectious Diseases

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Paul Farmer

Primary Institution: Harvard Medical School

Hypothesis

How do social inequalities contribute to the emergence of infectious diseases?

Conclusion

Social inequalities significantly shape the distribution and course of emerging infectious diseases.

Supporting Evidence

  • Emerging infectious diseases are often linked to social inequalities.
  • Outbreaks of diseases like Ebola and tuberculosis highlight the impact of poverty on health.
  • Social factors can influence the visibility and response to infectious disease outbreaks.

Takeaway

Some diseases are getting worse because of unfair treatment of people based on their wealth or where they live. We need to pay attention to these issues to help everyone stay healthy.

Methodology

The article discusses various factors influencing the emergence of infectious diseases, emphasizing the need for a critical and systemic approach to understanding these issues.

Potential Biases

There is a risk of bias in focusing solely on biological factors while neglecting the social determinants of health.

Limitations

The complexity of social factors and their impact on disease emergence is often overlooked in traditional epidemiological studies.

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