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Social Determinants of Health

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Subject:
From:
Dennis Raphael <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Social Determinants of Health <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 14 Sep 2004 09:30:08 -0400
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I have thought much this issue.  Indeed, they are "societal determinants of
health."  See below from chapter 1 of my book.  However, since Marmot et
al., and now the WHO have adopted the term "social determinants of health"
it seems prudent to use the latter -- somewhat less satisfactory term - for
now.
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Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that
influence the health of individuals, communities, and jurisdictions as a
whole. Social determinants of health determine whether individuals stay
healthy or become ill (a narrow definition of health).  Social determinants
of health also determine the extent to which a person possesses the
physical, social and personal resources to identify and achieve personal
aspirations, satisfy needs, and cope with the environment (a broader
definition of health). Social determinants of health are about the quantity
and quality of a variety of resources that a society makes available to its
members.

These resources include -- but are not limited to - conditions of
childhood, income, availability of food, housing, employment and working
conditions, and health and social services.  An emphasis upon societal
conditions as determinants of health contrasts with the traditional focus
upon biomedical and behavioural risk factors such as cholesterol, body
weight, physical activity, diet, and tobacco use.  Since a social
determinants of health approach sees the mainsprings of health as being how
a society organises and distributes economic and social resources, it
directs attention to economic and social policies as means of improving
health.

dr

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