ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to explicate the political economy perspective and use it to identify and explain the varied, differentially distributed impact of social stratification on human health. It describes the key components and main aim of primary health care (PHC) and demonstrate the value of PHC in combating epidemiological polarization. Using the political economy perspective, the chapter examines the differentially distributed impact of social stratification on biocultural diversity, as reflected in population health profiles. The lens of political economy reveals the many ways in which those with less power and authority end up carrying a disproportionate share of a society’s ill health. An epidemiological profile is the disease profile or picture of a given group. It identifies what diseases and other health challenges group members are experiencing or have experienced, and to what degree. Helpful in summary, the health–wealth label does mislead slightly if taken literally, because money alone cannot explain the health disparities seen.
