Literature Review Table
Author/Year Journal Study Location
Berkman, Kawachi (2000N/A N/A
Journal of Epidemiology
Krieger (2001) and Community Health N/A
Elsevier ScienceDirect Europe, various
Mackenbach et al. (2014Journals Collection European countries
International Journal of
Rose (2001) Epidemiology London
Paper Type Main Objective/Problem Addressed
Social Epidemiology, discussing social
Conceptual determinants and its effects on health.
Defining and explaining important componets
Conceptual of social epidemiology.
test the theory that socioeconomic status is a
"fundamental cause", inverse association
between socioeconomic status and mortality
Conceptual across time and place
Conceptual approaches to aetiology
Conceptual Framework Study Design
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A Case studies/reports
N/A N/A
Study Population Characteristics
N/A
N/A
European, men and women aged 30-79,
cause of death in 4 different categories such
as amenable to behavior change, medical
intervention, injury preventions, and non-
preventable.
mentions of diff populations; systolic blood
pressure among kenyans vs london civil
servants, water equality and cardiovascular
mortality in diff UK towns,
Study Population Selection Process Study Outcome
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
Populations from Finland, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, England and Wales,
Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland,
Austria, Spain (Barce- The study shows support for the theory
lona, Basque Country and Madrid), Italy (Turin of "fundamental causes" in Southern
and Tuscany), Czech Europe, but there is a need for further
Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Estonia. analysis and empirical data.
N/A - discusses case-centered epi and
N/A high-risk strategy of prevention
Main Exposure Analytic Approach
social inequalities N/A
social inequalities N/A
social inequalities observational/case studies
N/A - gives examples of different
exposures in different scenarios N/A
Measure of Association Main Findings
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
Majority of Relative Risks indicate higher
mortality risks among the lower educated
although there is large variation between
Relative Risks causes of death and populations.
Case-centered epi identifies individual
susceptibility but may fail to idenify
underlying causes of incidence, "high-risk"
strategy prevention bring benefits, but only
if underlying causes of incidence is
N/A unknown/uncontrollable.
Conceptual Contributions Strengths
Importance of social
epidemiology, history of social
epi, social epi and public policies,
understanding social and
economic behaviors N/A
Gives social context and
descriptions of biological
expressions of social inequality,
discrimination, ecosocial theory
of disease distribution,
embodiment, race, gender,
human rights, multi-level
analysis, poverty, socioeconomic
positions, social determinants of
health, and theories. N/A
Showcases different risks
by four different categories
and going into explanation
Advocates for stronger policy workof results.
provides educational material on
explaining aetiology N/A
Limitations What would you do differently?
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
Inadequate epirical data and Maybe would have added a table that
analysis towards topic of provides different theories mentioned
study. within paper.
N/A N/A
Translate findings of paper to your interests in public health.
Chapter 1 of Berkman and Kawachi's book introduces the history and
importance of social epidemiology. Social epidemiology is a newer field,
but has already contributed to important findings that can help shape
the health of society. Chapter 1 of Berkman and Kawachi can apply to
my interests in public health, which is improving minority and refugee
health. Using social epidemiology can give us a greater understanding of
how to do so.
Krieger's "A glossary for social epidemiology" provides descriptions and
context for important components of social epidemiology. Different
terms are discussed such as discrimination, social inequities, stress,
race/ethnicity, gender and sexuality, social justice, human rights,
poverty, and political economy of health.
The researchers found that in general, an area with larger social
inequalities have a connection with social inequality mortatily from
preventable causes. However, there are "reverse" inequalities and
variables that need to be considered. Examples include lung and breast
cancer in women in Souther Eurpoe who smoke, and Spain and Italy
where ischemic heart disease are smaller due to the Mediterranean diet.
This article gives an educational explanation on different approaches
regarding aetiology and talks about the pros and cons of case-centered
epidemiology and the "high-risk" strategy.