Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2009): Social care - overseas

Tackling inequalities in health: a global challenge for social work

P. Bywaters

British Journal of Social Work, vol. 39, 2009, p. 353-367

It is argued that tackling the underlying social causes and consequences of health inequalities should be recognised as a major new challenge for social work. Health inequalities are a vital issue for social workers in all settings because: health inequalities are a matter of social justice and human rights; the causes of health inequalities are primarily social; and poverty and poor health are common characteristics of social work service users. A number of implications for social work policy and practice are then outlined.