The socioeconomic inequalities found in Ile-de-France lead to health problems and social breakdown, particularly in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Of the persons questioned, a substantial number experience difficulties in several fields at the same time: employment (unemployment and precarious jobs), but also their living conditions in a more general sense, social integration and health (physical and mental morbidity, conditions and procedures for the use of health care facilities).

The objective of this research is to describe the relationship between inequality, social breakdown and health, studied from the angle of perceived health and quality of life, health-related behaviour and the use of health care facilities. It also underlines the importance of social support and psychosocial factors in the management of health problems.

This project is a part of a national research programme about social determinants of health and health care. Its focus on the populations of disadvantaged neighbourhoods is an answer to the specific demand of the Délégation interministérielle à la ville.

The research team formulated a questionnaire of 200 questions in seven main parts. A random sample of households was also established, from which the person questioned was also picked out at random. The data collected were then weighted according to the number of persons in the household.

Health priorities and expectations are extremely important among the population studied, along with certain health care requirements as objectivised by the survey. The questions of mental health and psychological wellbeing are particularly problematical, linked up with frequently related situations of social breakdown. Obstacles identified in access to health care occur both upstream and in addition to financial barriers, especially as regards dimensions such as: satisfaction of other basic needs, self-esteem and ability to look ahead to the future, social networks and support, and health education.

Délégation interministérielle à la ville (DIV)
France
http://www.ville.gouv.fr
Catherine Richard (Social Cohesion Department), tel. +33 149174657

01/12/2004

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Health