Social Determinants of Health

The non-medical factors that influence health outcomes are known as social determinants of health (SDH). They are the circumstances in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, as well as the broader set of factors and institutions that shape daily life conditions. Economic policies and systems, development objectives, social norms, social policies, and political systems are examples of these forces and systems. The SDH have a significant impact on health inequalities, which are the unjust and avoidable disparities in health status that exist within and between countries. Health and illness follow a social gradient in countries of all income levels: the lower the socioeconomic status, the poorer the health. In impacting health, social determinants may be more important than health care or lifestyle choices.

• Access to affordable health services of decent quality
• Early childhood development
• Education
• Food insecurity
• Housing, basic amenities and the environment
• Income and social protection
• Social inclusion and non-discrimination
• Structural conflict
• Unemployment and job insecurity
• Working life conditions