The contribution of social work and social care to the reduction of health inequalities: four case studies

• However, the health of most users of social care services is already damaged and for many this is a central factor in their involvement with social care services. Social work and care interventions targeted at social care clients, and at the general population, can reduce health disadvantage across the life course. • To illustrate this, we chose interventions from across the life course. Studies referred to all measured impact on health. They are Sure Start/Children’s Centres; the placement of looked-after children with kinship carers; support for parents with intellectual disabilities, and extra care housing for older people at risk of entering care. Research shows that social interventions impact on health disadvantage in individuals and populations, but to impact on health inequality, they must be adequately and sustainably resourced.