An economic and sociological interpretation of social differences in health-related behaviour: An encounter as a guide to social epidemiology

Author(s): Lyttkens, C. H., Hanson, B. S., Ostergren, P., Isacsson, S. O., Lindgren, B.

Journal/Book: Soc Sci Med. 1996; 43: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England OX5 1GB. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 1817-1827.

Abstract: We argue that the group-centred analyses of social epidemiology should follow from theoretical considerations that take the situation of the individual as their natural starting point. In a tentative dialogue between economics and sociology, we develop a framework for the analysis of health-related behaviour. Such behaviour is modelled as a process of decision-making at the individual level. Within economics, we draw specifically on the demand-for-health literature and the new institutional economics. Within sociology, Bourdieu's habitus theory is presented in combination with a macro-structural approach where the focus is on the process of individualization. The relationship between these different approaches to health-related behaviour and their implications is discussed. We find that the encounter between different sciences provides valuable insights for future work in the socio-epidemiological tradition.

Note: Article Lyttkens CH, Lund Univ, Malmo Univ Hosp, Dept Community Med, S-20502 Malmo, SWEDEN

Keyword(s): economics; sociology; health; behaviour; social differences; DECISION-MAKING; SMOKING; FUTURE

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