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Iryna Mazhak

AIAS FORMER FELLOW

Current position: MSCA4Ukraine, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland 

During her AIAS-COFUND Junior Fellowship, Associate Professor Iryna Mazhak worked on the project "The Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities among Working-age Population in Ukraine".

Project at AIAS

Health inequalities are one of the main challenges for public health policy. To reduce and eliminate health inequalities, we need to conduct an initial assessment of health inequalities, using appropriate indicators, and conduct systematic and long-term monitoring of health inequalities. My research aims to analyze the social determinants of health and health inequities among working-age Ukrainian population; identify indicators for monitoring health inequities; and, develop an evidence-based model for a new approach to public health policy in Ukraine based on social determinants of health and illness.

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design will be used. In the first, quantitative phase of the research, I will conduct a secondary data analysis of existing Ukrainian data, as well as, develop and implement a national survey of health inequalities. I will also conduct a secondary data analysis of an EU-database for analyzing country differences to compare population health outcomes in Ukraine vis-à-vis the EU. The second, qualitative phase, will involve in-depth interviews with people experiencing vulnerability in health. Also this phase includes developing case studies of good policy practices to tackle inequalities in health in the EU countries for potential adoption in Ukraine as well as developing a policy paper considering ways to tackle health inequalities in Ukraine. The proposed research is important not only for scientists but also useful for the national government as a base for developing strategies to reduce and eliminate health inequalities.

Project title:

The Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities among Working-age Population in Ukraine

Area of research:

Public Health 

Fellowship period:

1 Oct 2015 – 30 Sep 2018

Fellowship type:

AIAS-COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow

This fellowship has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 609033 and The Aarhus University Research Foundation.