Do the rich live longer than the poor? To what extent do class and occupational positions affect one's health? How does social capital relate to illness? In what ways does social structure influence health literacy? How about other variables, such as the place of residence, house ownership, education, population density, and marriage status? Eleven experts collectively grapple with these and other questions in the Japanese and international context through empirical studies and comparative analysis. From the perspective of social epidemiology, the contributors to this novel study examine the webs linking social distribution and social determinants of health. They present provocative conclusions.

About Editors and Authors

KAWAKAMI Norito is Professor in the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo. After graduating from Gifu University School of Medicine with an MD in 1981, he went on to obtain a D.M.Sc from the University of Tokyo in 1985. He specializes in the field of mental health.