Social determinants of health

Encyclopedia : S : SO : SOC : Social determinants of health

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Social determinants of health are the social conditions in which people live which determine their health. Illnesses are generally related to social, economic, political, and environmental circumstances. Social determinants of health have been recognized by several health organizations such as the Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization to greatly influence collective and personal well-being. A list of determinants of health compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada is below:

1. Income and social status
2. Social support networks
3. Education and literacy
4. Employment/Working conditions
5. Social environments
6. Physical environments
7. Personal health practices and coping skills
8. Healthy child development
9. Biology and genetic endowment
10. Health services
11. Gender
12. Culture

The term social determinants of health grew out of the search by researchers to identify the specific exposures by which members of different socio-economic groups come to experience varying degrees of health and illness. While it was well documented that individuals in various socio-economic groups experienced differing health outcomes, the specific factors and means by which these factors led to illness remained to be identified Overviews of the concept, recent findings, and an analysis of emerging issues are available. All these formulation share a concern with factors beyond those of biomedical and behavioural risk. The SDOH National Conference list (see Raphael, below) is unique in that it specifically focuses on the public policy environment (e.g., income and its distribution) rather than characteristics associated with individuals (e.g. income and social status).

• World Health Organization. (1986). Ottawa charter for health promotion. World Health Organization European Office. Available: http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/ottawa_charter_hp.pdf
• Health Canada. (1998). Taking action on population health: A position paper for health promotion and programs branch staff. Ottawa: Health Canada. Available: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/pdf/tad_e.pdf
• Wilkinson, R., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts. World Health Organization, European Office. Available: http://www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf
• Raphael, D. (Ed.). (2004). Social determinants of health: Canadian perspectives. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press: http://www.cspi.org/books/s/socialdeter.htm

See also

• Population health
• Population Health Forum

External links

• [Public Health Agency of Canada: What determines health? - Key Determinants]
• [World Health Organization: Commission on Social Determinants of Health]
• [Population Health Forum website]

 

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