Η σημασία της κοινωνικής επιδημιολογίας στη διαμόρφωση πολιτικών δημόσιας υγείας : από τη θεωρία στη πράξη

Κοτζαμάνης, Αθανάσιος

The importance of social epidemiology in shaping public health policies : from theory to practice

Master Thesis

Author

Κοτζαμάνης, Αθανάσιος

Date

2026

Abstract

This thesis examines the contribution of social epidemiology to public health policy by investigating the relationships among socioeconomic and demographic determinants, access to services, regional workforce distribution and health outcomes in Greece. The study used secondary data from Eurostat, ELSTAT, the OECD, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the World Health Organization. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted, together with an exploratory Pearson correlation between regional GDP per capita and standardised mortality for years with comparable data. The findings revealed persistent income-related and spatial inequalities. Lower-income groups reported higher unmet medical needs and poorer self-perceived health. At regional level, GDP per capita was negatively correlated with standardised mortality in 2001 (r=-0.73, p=0.012) and 2014 (r=-0.55, p=0.049). Unemployment, educational inequality and asymmetric population ageing emerged as interconnected mechanisms of vulnerability. Major differences were also identified in the distribution of physicians, nurses, hospital beds and primary health care personnel. Comparison with Italy, Portugal and the EU average highlighted Greece’s high out-of-pocket burden, elevated unmet needs and exceptionally low nurse-to-physician ratio. The study concludes that proportionate universalism, needs-based financing, stronger primary health care, targeted prevention and multi-level incentives for staffing island, mountain and remote areas are necessary to reduce social and spatial health inequalities.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Οικονομικά και Διοίκηση της Υγείας

Department

Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

Number of pages

Language

Greek

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19676

Collections

Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα