Title:
Tackling health inequalities in relation to sight loss: developing effective strategies for groups most at risk
Author:
Pritti Mehta.
Publisher:
RNIB.
Year of publication:
2009.
Background
Reducing preventable sight loss is a key priority and objective for the UK Vision Strategy and RNIB's own five-year strategy. However, to achieve impact on this agenda, there needs to be a deeper understanding and targeting of health inequalities. As with other common conditions, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease, preventable sight loss does not seem to affect all groups equally. Socially disadvantaged and excluded groups, including lower socio-economic and minority ethnic groups, are considered to be at greater risk. If prevention strategies are going to be effective, they will need to address these inequalities.
Key findings
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Health inequalities are linked to social determinants. They are stubborn, persistent and difficult to change.
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Political support, action and evidence and are all needed to make any long-term sustainable impact.
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Sight loss is strongly linked with social and economic inequalities;
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Ethnicity is also a complex dimension of health inequalities, encompassing social, lifestyle, cultural, environmental, and genetic factors.
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