Revisiting urban health and social inequalities: The devil is in the detail and the solution is in all of us

Abstract

This paper considers how the subject of urban inequalities has come to be given more consideration within the discussions of urban poverty and urban health. It suggests a need for more precision in understanding and acting on such inequalities - and discusses how measurement and policy response are influenced by whether the focus is on urban poverty, differentials, inequality or inequity. Many authors fail to clarify the difference between a differential, an unequal and an unjust distribution of services or resources, or health outcomes. This paper discusses what aspects of inequality can and cannot be addressed through conventional local government interventions (for instance, in upgrading informal settlements or public transport, or water pricing). It argues that to change urban inequalities at root, we have to recognize and address unjust distributions of power and control of resources. © 2011 International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).