| dc.description.abstract | This study explores acceptability and preference for policy approaches addressing
socioeconomic inequalities in health in the Netherlands. Sixteen relevant policies were
classified as structural, agento-structural, agentic, and process policy (public involvement).
A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023 among Dutch-speaking individuals aged
18 and above, living in the Netherlands. A non-probability (snowball and convenience)
sampling method was used to distribute the survey via various social media channels and
existing contacts. Acceptability was measured on a seven-point Likert scale. To assess the
preference of policies, respondents were required to pick three policies they considered most
important in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in health. Educational level, measured by
the highest degree, was used to assess respondents´ socioeconomic status (SES), categorised
in two groups. Covariates included were age, gender, employment status, being a welfare
recipient, working in the social or health domain and perceived responsibility. 87% of the
participants (N=331) had high and 13% low or middle education backgrounds. In general,
agento-structural policies received high acceptability and preference scores. The quality of
social housing and public involvement received high scores of acceptability, respectively
preference. Education did not show any differencesin the acceptability of either of the policy
types. Differences were observed in the preference: individuals with low/ middle educational
levels scored higher on structural policies while individuals with high educational levels
scored higher on agento-structural policies. Yet, the regression analysis did not show
educational level as a significant predictor of acceptability and preference. Age, gender, and
perceived responsibility were positively related with all four policy types, serving as
covariates. Non-welfare recipients showed higher acceptability towards agentic policies and
lower preference towards structural policies. Dutch policymakers should prioritize agento-
structural policies and particularly focus on improving the quality of social housing. A
participatory approach involving various stakeholders is recommended to reduce
socioeconomic health disparities. | |
