Inequality and health: Can medical practice address the consequences of inequalities?

Abstract

Background: The extent to which governments provide socioeconomic supports has been highlighted by their spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has implications for patterns of inequality, in particular on exacerbating unequal health and well-being.

Results: Inequity has expanded due to neoliberalism, a market-based approach that has endured for more than four decades. Together with COVID-19, it has developed and exposed many structural governance differences.

Discussion: There are a number of examples presented of the effects of inequalities on health and well-being. The role of general practice in addressing these is discussed and challenges are highlighted, especially those relating to payment systems and workforce constraints.

Keywords: COVID‐19; health financing; inequity; social investment; sociopolitical orientation; workforce constraints.