Beschrijving

Why do health inequalities persist even in systems promising universal coverage? A key reason is the hidden challenge of long-term treatment adherence. When patients struggle to stay on track, existing inequalities deepen. But is strict adherence always the best route to wellbeing? Life brings competing priorities, and treatment should not eclipse everything else-yet structural injustices often leave disadvantaged patients with few options. This book explores the lived reality of chronic illness, revealing how healthcare can support patients in balancing treatment with everyday demands. It emphasises person-centered care, highlighting the fragility of illness and the need for socially aware support beyond clinical routines. At its core is a bold ethical framework for chronic care, urging shared responsibility to address cumulative disadvantage. Thought-provoking and timely, this book challenges assumptions and offers a vision for care that is humane, equitable, and ethically grounded.