Social inequalities in health: agenda-setting and policy tracing from 2004 to the Covid-19 crisis

This two-year project is funded by Sciences Po's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). It is managed by Patrick Castel, (CSO) and associated with Thierry Lang, professor emeritus in public health, associate researcher at the CSO William Genieys, Research Director CNRS, Sciences Po, Centre d’études européennes et de politique comparée (CEE).

Since 1945, the French healthcare system has had universalism and equality as its founding values (Nay et al. 2016). In fact, this system is characterized by a high level of redistribution and broad insurance coverage to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the healthcare system. However, for several decades, numerous research studies and reports have highlighted the persistence of profound social inequalities in health (SIH) in France (among others, HCSP, 1994, 1998; Leclerc et al., 2000; IGAS, 2011; Nay et al., 2016). If we consider the research work on SIH in France or their references in official discourses (national health reports, plans or laws), we note a noteworthy progression of the theme. However, it has still not been formulated as a policy program. Our research project seeks to understand this gap.