Abstract:

Socioeconomic disparities in health are the realities individuals have to deal with throughout the life span, and are issues all the nations need to face worldwide. Theories and empirical work have attempted to understand socioeconomic disparities in health from life-span perspective. In studies from life-span perspective, socioeconomic disparities in health have its unique definitions and assessment tools. Key theories include cumulative (dis) advantage hypothesis, cumulative inequality model, and cultural cycle model of social classes. Researchers have examined socioeconomic disparities in health in childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and old age. Future directions of research from life-span perspective should focus on the interaction between socioeconomic status in childhood and adulthood, the distinction of long-term and temporary socioeconomic status, and the potential of psychosocial interventions for health equality across disciplines. Research on socioeconomic disparities in health from life-span perspective may deepen the understanding for the developmental roots of socioeconomic disparities in health and should serve as an important theoretical basis for promoting health and implementing clinical practical work on health equality.

Key words: socioeconomic disparities in health, socioeconomic status, health, life-span perspective