Os indicadores sociais se tornaram imprescindíveis no elenco de variáveis dos estudos epidemiológicos a partir da constatação de que a determinação dos agravos à saúde é complexa e multidimensional. Nessa perspectiva, a desigualdade social vem ocupando destaque como um fator explicativo das condições de saúde das populações. O objetivo desse artigo é discutir as diferentes concepções que norteiam a seleção dos indicadores utilizados nos estudos epidemiológicos e abordar os efeitos psicossociais no ser humano acarretados pela desigualdade social. Para tanto foi realizada uma revisão da literatura acerca dos estudos epidemiológicos que utilizaram os indicadores de desigualdade social e capital social para uma melhor compreensão dos problemas de saúde, bem como uma investigação no campo da sociologia e da psicologia social. De acordo com a pesquisa pode-se constatar que há controvérsias sobre o efeito da desigualdade social na saúde humana, possivelmente, pelo fato desses indicadores serem baseados, majoritariamente, pela renda e capacidade de consumo dos indivíduos. Da mesma forma, os indicadores de capital social em nível cognitivo e estrutural são muito limitados para compreender o dinamismo das relações sociais. Nesse sentido, são necessários mais estudos para a construção de indicadores sociais que contemplem a complexidade das sociedades modernas.
Palavras-chave:
Epidemiologia
Indicadores Sociais
Desigualdade Social
Abstract:
Social indicators became indispensable in the list of variables of epidemiological studies, from the observation that the determination of health injuries is complex and multidimensional. From this perspective, social inequality has gained prominence as an explanatory factor in health conditions of populations. The aim of this article is to discuss the different concepts that guide the selection of the indicators used in epidemiological studies and broach the psychosocial effects on human being caused by social inequality. Therefore, it was conduced a literature review about epidemiological studies that used indicators of social inequality and social capital to a better understanding of health problems, as well as an investigation in the field of sociology and social psychology. According to the research, it can be seen that there are controversies about the effect of social inequality in health, possibly because these indicators are based, mainly, by income and consumption capacity of individuals. Likewise, the indicators of social capital in cognitive and structural levels are too limited to understand the dynamism of social relations. Accordingly, further studies are needed for the construction of social indicators that broach the complexity of modern societies.
SOCIAL INEQUITY AND THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES: A REFLECTION
Resumo (abstract):
Social indicators became indispensable in the list of variables of epidemiological studies, from the observation that the determination of health injuries is complex and multidimensional. From this perspective, social inequality has gained prominence as an explanatory factor in health conditions of populations. The aim of this article is to discuss the different concepts that guide the selection of the indicators used in epidemiological studies and broach the psychosocial effects on human being caused by social inequality. Therefore, it was conduced a literature review about epidemiological studies that used indicators of social inequality and social capital to a better understanding of health problems, as well as an investigation in the field of sociology and social psychology. According to the research, it can be seen that there are controversies about the effect of social inequality in health, possibly because these indicators are based, mainly, by income and consumption capacity of individuals. Likewise, the indicators of social capital in cognitive and structural levels are too limited to understand the dynamism of social relations. Accordingly, further studies are needed for the construction of social indicators that broach the complexity of modern societies.
FERREIRA MAF, Latorre, M.do.R.D.O. DESIGUALDADE SOCIAL E OS ESTUDOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS: UMA REFLEXÃO. Cien Saude Colet [periódico na internet] (2011/jul). [Citado em 23/01/2025].
Está disponível em: http://cienciaesaudecoletiva.com.br/artigos/desigualdade-social-e-os-estudos-epidemiologicos-uma-reflexao/7964?id=7964
