Tackling inequalities in physical health: A new objective for social work

We argue that tackling the impact of social inequality on physical health s hould become a central objective of social work and intrinsic to the develo pment of anti-oppressive practice. This is on three grounds. First, the suf fering embodied in inequality in physical health should be a cause of conce rn to social workers, as a pervasive social problem. Secondly, awareness of social work's complicity in contributing to such a problem, through its hi storical role in implementing state policies, needs to inform assessment of social work outcomes. Nevertheless, thirdly, social work-not confined to h ealth care settings-which redresses social disadvantage and tackles its con sequences for physical well-being can contribute to greater equity in healt h. Indicative examples of such practice are provided in relation to health maintenance, living with ill health and terminal illness. Finally, consider ation is given to the current wider political context in which social work addressing health inequalities is embedded and to the need for complementar y organizational, professional and political initiatives to buttress its de velopment.