Health and Inequality Applying Public Health Research to Policy and Practice

How can research on the social determinants of health be translated into real life public health practice? Challenging the research-practice gap, this text shows readers from a range of professions how their practice can help to minimise health inequalities. The social model of health embraces individual lifestyles, social and community networks, socio-economic, political and cultural influences and the plethora of factors that can impact on public health, for instance, education, work, welfare benefits, environment, housing, health and social care. All of these can have a significant effect on people?s experiences of health and well-being, and are often unrecognised sources of health inequalities.

This innovative textbook outlines and discusses key public health principles and the social model of health. Drawing on a range of case studies and the international literature, it looks at how public health research has been applied to policy and practice. The book discusses the transferability that these findings have had and their capacity to influence and provide evidence for practice. Health and Inequality covers a broad range of social determinants of health, encountered throughout the life-course, including:

• Pre-birth and early years
• Breastfeeding and teenage mothers
• Health inequalities for mothers and babies in prison
• Children in full time education
• Sexuality, relationships and sexual health of young people
• Early adulthood
• Welfare rights and health benefits
• Women, employment and well-being
• Adults in later life

Practical and clearly structured, this text will be useful to a range of health and social care professionals involved in public health work, particularly those undertaking courses on public health, health promotion or the social determinants of health.

1. Public Health for a Fairer Society Angela Tod and JuliaHirst 2. Fairer Society, Healthy Lives Chris Bentley 3. Pre-birth and Early Years (up to age five) Chris Bentley 4. Giving Children the Best Start Zoe Brownlie 5. Addressing Health Inequalities for Mothers and Babies in Prison Kathy Albertson, Caroline O'Keeffe, Catherine Burke, Georgina Lessing-Turner and Mary Renfrew 6. Children in Full Time Education (ages 5 – 16)
Chris Bentley 7. Promoting Positive Sexualities, Relationships and Sexual Health for Young People in Educational Settings Julia Hirst 8. The Emotional Health and Well-Being of Young People who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans Eleanor Formby 9. Early Adulthood (Ages 17 – 24) Chris Bentley 10. Breastfeeding: Engaging Teenage Mothers in Healthy Lifestyle Change Lindsey Reeceand Anna Clack 11. Preventing Ill-health: Assessing the Potential Impact of NICE Guidance to Promote and Offer Hepatitis C Testing within Drug Services Ray Poll 12. Adults of Working Age (ages 25 – 64) Chris Bentley 13. Welfare Rights and the Health Benefits of Benefits Peter Allmark 14. Women, Employment and Well-Being Linda Grant 15. Adults of Retirement Age (65+) Chris Bentley 16. The Little Society Nick Pollard 17. Keeping Warm and Well in Later Life Angela Mary Tod 18. Conclusion: Looking to the Future Angela Mary Tod, Julia Hirst and Peter Allmark

Angela M. Tod is Professor in Health Services Research at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Julia Hirst is a Reader in Sociology and Public Health Lead at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.