Privilege and health--what is the connection?

Anyone who follows the medical literature knows that “socioeconomic status” is a powerful determinant of health. In current jargon, socioeconomic status refers to a mix of factors that shape a person's relative social advantage. It is usually gauged by income, education, profession, or some combination of the three, but no one knows exactly which factors determine health, much less how they do so. It does not seem to be simply a matter of the privileged having better access to health care. Nevertheless, in study after study socioeconomic status emerges as one of the most important influences on mortality and morbidity. . . .