Soziale und Kulturelle Einflüsse auf Krankheit und Gesundheit

During the last 15 to 20 years numerous studies have investigated the correlation between socioeconomic status and health. The empirical evidence is obvious: higher socioeconomic status measured by education, occupation, income or social class -is correlated with lower morbidity and lower age-adjusted mortality. By using the term "Gesundheitschancen" (health prospects) we emphasize that becoming ill, becoming healthy or staying healthy is a function of socioeconomic status. This article summarizes sociological and economic approaches that explain the influence of social und cultural determinants on health. Additionally, the results of empirical investigations are evaluated. In a first step, different theories of social inequality are analyzed with regard to their ability to explain health inequalities. In the next step, theories from medical sociology and sociology of health are presented. Individual differences in socioeconomic status as well as characteristics of the social context may influence chances of health. Finally, economic theories are used to explain different chances of health. It is argued that economic theories have not been taken into consideration so far in the study of health inequality. These theories consider health as an investment and consumer good or as human capital. chances of health, life style, social selection, health behavior, socioeconomic context, human capital, health capital.