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BJSW Advance Access originally published online on August 29, 2007
British Journal of Social Work 2009 39(2):353-367; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcm096
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Tackling Inequalities in Health: A Global Challenge for Social Work

Paul Bywaters

Paul Bywaters is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Coventry University. He was Professor of Social Work and Director of the Centre for Social Justice at Coventry University until he retired in 2006. He is also Honorary Professor at the University of Warwick. From 2004 to 2006, he was Convenor of the Social Work and Health Inequalities Network.

Correspondence to Paul Bywaters, 1 Albany Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 5LP, UK. E-mail: P.Bywaters{at}coventry.ac.uk


  Abstract

This paper presents arguments for recognizing and tackling health inequalities as a major new challenge for social work. Four underpinning points provide the building blocks for this case, that health inequalities are a matter of social justice and human rights, that the causes of health inequalities are primarily social, that poverty and poor health are common characteristics of social work service users and, that, therefore, health inequalities are a vital issue for social workers in all settings. A number of implications for social work practice and policy are outlined. The paper concludes that addressing health inequalities implies that social work has to become more actively engaged with critical global social, economic, environmental and political issues.

Keywords: social work, health, inequalities, international, research


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