Nathalie Bajos
The Social Determinants of Health Inequalities
Health inequalities represent a major issue of social justice. While many social determinants of health have been identified, the analysis of the processes that produce these inequalities requires further exploration. The sociological approach views these inequalities as one of the most striking manifestations of how social structures are embedded in the body. It is therefore important, from an intersectional perspective, to understand the social power relations—related to gender, class, and race—that shape health practices. This approach also urges us not to view the biological in isolation from the social, but rather to consider the complex interaction between these two dimensions. Finally, it calls for analyzing health practices within the context of life trajectories, from birth to death, from health impairments to care provided by the healthcare system.
Bajos, N., The Social Production of Health Inequalities , Paris: Collège de France, “ Opening Lectures ” series, 2026.
