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Social Work and Health Inequalities Research Glasgow Seminar Paul Bywaters

Social Work and Health Inequalities Research Glasgow Seminar Paul Bywaters. Background. Purpose is to explore and develop the contribution of social work research to tackling health inequalities. Third seminar of four Final seminar: London in March 2007.

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Social Work and Health Inequalities Research Glasgow Seminar Paul Bywaters

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  1. Social Work and Health Inequalities ResearchGlasgow SeminarPaul Bywaters

  2. Background • Purpose is to explore and develop the contribution of social work research to tackling health inequalities. • Third seminar of four • Final seminar: London in March 2007

  3. Social Work and Health Inequalities Network • www.warwick.ac.uk/go/swhin • socialwork-healthinequalities@jiscmail.ac.uk

  4. The Basic Case • Health inequalities are physical and emotional signs of social injustice and the contravention of human rights. Social work is opposed to such injustice on moral grounds.

  5. The Basic Case 2. Health inequalities are a vital social work issue because the primary determinants of health are social. It is the social economic, political and environmental conditions which result in these gross and demeaning inequalities not primarily access to health treatment and care. But access to health care is socially determined too.

  6. The Basic Case 3. Almost all social work service users are either already living with poor physical or mental health or their health is threatened by the conditions in which they live.

  7. The Basic Case 4. Therefore, tackling health inequalities is an issue for all social workers, not just those in health settings.

  8. What are we trying to achieve? ‘In operational terms, pursuing equity in health means eliminating health disparities that are systematically associated With underlying social disadvantage or Marginalization.’ (Braveman 2003)

  9. What are we trying to achieve? WHO Task Force priorities • integrated action to develop healthier social, economic, political and physical environments; • improved access to appropriate universal social care and health systems; • interventions where ill-health and suffering is greatest and resources to address it are least.

  10. Transformatory Research Developing an evidence base for social work practice tackling health inequalities • research which draws on social work’s unique engagement with people living in poverty and deprivation to deepen understandings of the causes and meanings of health inequalities • research which assesses the impact of social work intervention on health inequalities.

  11. Transformatory Research Key characteristics: • research that is participatory • research that is rooted in practice and reflection. • research that builds in a concern with application and implementation

  12. Transforming Practice 1. Re-working existing practice: • Prioritising material conditions • Taking a lifecourse perspective • Recognising the health content of social issues • Re-focusing from individuals and families to populations

  13. Transforming Practice 2. Developing new practice • Securing the fundamental conditions of life • Moving from protection to prevention • Taking a global perspective

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