Social Determinants of Health
Our mental health is influenced by many factors including life experiences, workplace or other environments, and the social and economic conditions that shape our lives. These social and economic conditions are called the social determinants of health and are some of the most important factors that impact on mental and physical health. Research shows that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health (Mikkonen and Raphael 2010).
Social Determinants of Health Issue Brief
Health Care Spending The U.S. health care crisis, which is fueled by rising costs and a high demand for medical services, affects all government and private expenditures and services. In addition, the need for often costly medical treatment is not evenly distributed among all people. "In 2015, half of the population accounted for 97% of health spending [and] the 50% of the population with the lowest spending accounted for 3% of all total health spending."1
Criticisms of WHO
While WHO's detractors support its focus on disease prevention and eradication, many argue that success has often been elusive because the organization is too bureaucratic and centralized to effectively and efficiently target funds and efforts. WHO has faced strong criticism for its purported inefficiency, and recent director-generals have pledged that improved efficiency and effectiveness will be top priorities. Far more controversial than its focus on infectious disease prevention has been its efforts in the area of public health.
Health indicators
A health indicator is a measure designed to summarize information about a given priority topic in population health or health system performance. Health indicators provide comparable and actionable information across different geographic, organizational or administrative boundaries and/or can track progress over time. Health indicators support provinces/territories, regional health authorities and institutions as they monitor the health of their populations and track how well their local health systems function. They help in monitoring key performance dimensions described in the Health System Performance Measurement Framework, which provides a common approach for managing health system performance across the country. What’s the difference between metrics, indicators and performance indicators? The figure and table below describe a health indicator and illustrate how a health indicator is related to different types of health measures.
What is health?
Ask Canadians what makes them healthy and you would get many different answers. Some might say luck or family history; but most would point to their lifestyle -- whether they smoke, how much they eat and drink, how much they exercise, and perhaps how well they manage their stress levels. There is no doubt that personal lifestyle has a very direct impact on health; but, health is generally viewed as much more complex. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) offers a simple definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. “Social well-being” is an important aspect of this definition that may not always occur to us in thinking about our health. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion affirms social, economic and environmental aspects of ‘health’.
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO remains firmly committed to the principles set out in the preamble to the Constitution
What makes us healthy? Exploring the determinants of health closer to home
Table of Contents: Whether you are new to the world of the determinants of health or looking for a refresher, here’s a primer on this topic. If we asked you to think about the things that make you healthy, what comes to mind? Health is more than just access to health care services
How should we define health?
Machteld Huber, senior researcher1, J André Knottnerus, president, Scientific Council for Government Policy 2, Lawrence Green, editor in chief, Oxford Bibliographies Online—public health3, Henriëtte van der Horst, head 4, Alejandro R Jadad, professor5, Daan Kromhout, vice president, Health Council of the Netherlands6, Brian Leonard, professor7, Kate Lorig, professor8, Maria Isabel Loureiro, coordinator for health promotion and protection9, Jos W M van der Meer, professor10, Paul Schnabel, director 11, Richard Smith, director12, Chris van Weel, head 13, Henk Smid, director 14Author affiliationsCorrespondence to: M Huber m.huber@louisbolk.nlAccepted 15 June 2011 The WHO definition of health as complete wellbeing is no longer fit for purpose given the rise of chronic disease. Machteld Huber and colleagues propose changing the emphasis towards the ability to adapt and self manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges
WHO Definition of Health
What is the WHO definition of health? Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The bibliographic citation for this definition is: Preamble to the Constitution of WHO as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June - 22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of WHO, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. The definition has not been amended since 1948.
What are the social determinants of health?
The social determinants of health (SDH) are the social and economic factors that influence people's health. These are apparent in the living and working conditions that people experience every day. The SDH influence health in many positive and negative ways. Extreme differences in income and wealth, for example, have negative health consequences for those who are living in poverty and these effects are magnified when these people are congregated in poor regions. In contrast, those who are well-off and living in well-off regions have better overall health. SDH influence health positively and negatively
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
November 17-21, 1986 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada This charter is also available for downloading or viewing:Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (PDF document - 192 KB - 5 pages) The first International Conference on Health Promotion, meeting in Ottawa this 21st day of November 1986, hereby presents this CHARTER for action to achieve Health for All by the year 2000 and beyond. This conference was primarily a response to growing expectations for a new public health movement around the world. Discussions focused on the needs in industrialized countries, but took into account similar concerns in all other regions.
Determinants of Health - Physiopedia
Introduction "Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. But... it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place."
Scientists make first attempt to permanently change a person’s DNA to cure a disease
For the first time, scientists have tried to edit a gene inside a person’s body, in an effort to cure disease On Monday, 44-year-old Brian Madeux – who has a metabolic disease called Hunter syndrome – received billions of copies of a corrective gene through an IV, along with a tool to cut his DNA in the relevant location. Signs of whether it's working may come in a month, and tests will show for sure in three months. We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
What are the social determinants of health? How might they be applied to our everyday lived experiences? Access to conditions that permit health is shaped by the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age, and an array of political, economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions and forces. Read RNAO’s brochure on Social Determinants of Health This brochure includes the story of Teresa who struggles to cope with the trauma she has experienced.
