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Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health logoLink to Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
. 2005 Apr;59(4):268–273. doi: 10.1136/jech.2004.026807

Genetics and health inequalities: hypotheses and controversies

J Mackenbach 1
PMCID: PMC1733045  PMID: 15767378

Abstract

This article reviews the current understanding of the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in health in industrialised countries and then tries to determine where genetic factors could fit into explanatory schemes. It focuses on the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in frequency of the main health problems of middle and old age.

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Selected References

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