[Life conditions and health behavior of socially disadvantaged women: implications of an action-theoretic model of social structure for health research].

To operationalize social status epidemiology of social inequalities in health uses uncompounded indices, as school and job education, income and occupational status. Social epidemiology describes social inequalities from a more comprehensive perspective, including indicators of social status as well as subjective attitudes and behavior. Examples of a study on smoking in women indicate a broader framework of the relation between social indicators and healthy lifestyles. Action oriented theory of social inequalities substantiate restrictions of this epidemiological approach. Social analysis should focus on lifestyles and behavioral resources to reach overall life targets. An example of a qualitative study on health behavior in women prove the impact of this sociological theory for public health research. Health behavior of women from the lower SES is developed and improved in life history. It can be described as the capability to reach life targets regarding to health and social conditions.