Social and Economic Policies Matter for Health Equity: Conclusions of the SOPHIE Project

In a newly published article, ‘Social and Economic Policies Matter for Health Equity: Conclusions of the SOPHIE Project‘, in the International Journal of Health Services, Davide Malmusi, Carles Muntaner, Carme Borrell and SOPHIE investigators (e.g. Christophe Vanroelen) summarize the main findings and policy implications of the SOPHIE project. This project has accumulated evidence regarding the influence of social and economic policies on population health levels and health inequalities, and the lessons learned on civil society participation in research and results communication.

Abstract

Since 2011, the SOPHIE project has accumulated evidence regarding the influence of social and economic policies on population health levels, as well as on health inequalities according to socioeconomic position, gender, and immigrant status. Through comparative analyses and evaluation case studies across Europe, SOPHIE has shown how these health inequalities vary according to contexts in macroeconomics, social protection, labor market, built environment, housing, gender equity, and immigrant integration and may be reduced by equity-oriented policies in these fields. These studies can help public health and social justice advocates to build a strong case for fairer social and economic policies that will lead to the reduction of health inequalities that most governments have included among their policy goals. In this article, we summarize the main findings and policy implications of the SOPHIE project and the lessons learned on civil society participation in research and results communication.