LIFE CONDITIONS AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR OF WO MEN FROM THE LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES - IMPLICATIONS OF ACTION-ORIENTED THEORIES OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES FOR PUBLIC-HEALTH RESEARCH

To operationalize social status epidemiology of social inequalities in health uses uncompounded indices, as school and job education, income and occupational status. Social epidemiology describes social inequal ities from a more comprehensive perspective, including indicators of s ocial status as well as subjective attitudes and behavior. Examples of a study on smoking in women indicate a broader framework of the relat ion between social indicators and healthy lifestyles. Action oriented theory of social inequalities substantiate restrictions of this epidem iological approach. Social analysis should focus on lifestyles and beh avioral resources to reach overall life targets. An example of a quali tative study on health behavior in women prove the impact of this soci ological theory for public health research. Health behavior of women f rom the lower SES is developed and improved in life history. It can be described as the capability to reach life targets regarding to health and social conditions.