HLST 1010 Lecture 9: Chapter 9 review notes

• School: York University
• Department: Health Studies
• Course: HLST 1010
• Professor: Kenneth Lam

Document Summary

Notes for: chapter 9 politics, public policy, and health inequalities toba bryant. This chapter explores the relationship between politics, public policy, the welfare state, and how these concepts influence health and health inequalities. Bryant explains what public policy is, arguing that at its core, public policy is decisions made by governments. However, the chapter continues on to explain that public policy is much more than that. The role of governments using the tool of public policy within welfare state systems is to provide sufficient economic resources to support citizens across their lifespan. The author employs interesting statistical data in support of her arguments. It is quite alarming to learn that canada"s public social spending is so low compared to other countries, especially the nordic nations. Later in the chapter, bryant looks at issues of poverty, of the welfare state, as well as the various forces that shape public policy.