EN
The results of research on the social genesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) based on life-cycle approach indicate that low socioeconomic status during early phases of ontogenesis is connected with increased risk of developing CAD in adulthood. It means that genesis of social health inequalities, concerning unequal social distribution of CAD, should be considered including early-life social influences. Scientific data concerning the developmental origins of non-communicable chronic diseases, especially those well described regarding CAD, constitute a significant complement to traditional research approach to social health inequalities, focused on middle-aged populations and socioeconomic influences in adulthood, and put emphasis on the role of assessment of the cumulative psychosocial risk of somatic diseases throughout the human life-cycle. This approach is particularly useful in understanding the social processes related to etiopathogenesis of chronic diseases with long latency periods, especially atherosclerosis. Health policy actions, aimed at effective diminishing of social health inequalities, should take into account the above mentioned data and should be directed not only at standard, behavioral coronary risk factors, but also at poor families and their children, who, in the light of the current knowledge, are highly predisposed to suffer from CAD in adulthood.