Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health in 22 European Countries
New England Journal of MedicinePublished 4 June 2008Open access
Johan P. Mackenbach, Irina Stirbu, Albert‐Jan Roskam, M. Schaap, Gwenn Menvielle, Mall Leinsalu
Citations3,235
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score19.08
SNIP13.47
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TL;DR
Variation across Europe in the magnitude of inequalities in health associated with socioeconomic status is observed, which might be reduced by improving educational opportunities, income distribution, health-related behavior, or access to health care.
Abstract
We observed variation across Europe in the magnitude of inequalities in health associated with socioeconomic status. These inequalities might be reduced by improving educational opportunities, income distribution, health-related behavior, or access to health care.
Keywords
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