Determinants Of Health
Social determinants of health are the environmental conditions people are born, worship, learn, live, work, play, and age that affect a wide range of quality-of-life, health, functioning, and risks. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, and physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, and neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material attributes of “place,” the patterns of social arrangement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that improve quality of life can have a major impact on population health outcomes. Some examples include safe and affordable housing, quality education, public safety, healthy foods availability,
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This may reflect the fact that lifestyle issues are often easier to identify and treat, or it may point to differences in the respective evidence bases; with evidence on managing major social issues being less apparent and less accessible to lawmakers and clinicians. Evidence about what can actually be done to manage the social determinants of health is required, specifically which interventions are most appropriate and for whom. Good health follows a social gradient and typically flows in the positive direction with increasing socioeconomic status; The importance of the social (as opposed to biological or genetic) causes of this increase for example, housing quality, access to healthcare or quality of work, has also been established. This has led to increasing pressure in research, practice and policy-making environments to investigate these wider social determinants of health, through the implementation of appropriate interventions, and thereby reducing the gradient and health …show more content…
These factors, which influence an individual’s or population’s health, are known as determinants of health. Recognizing the continuing problem of disparities, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed an action plan for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. The HHS Disparities Action Plan establishes a vision of, “a nation free of disparities in health and health care,” and sets out a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve this vision. The action plan builds on existing HHS initiatives, such as the Healthy People initiative. States, local communities, private organizations, and providers also are engaged in efforts to reduce health
This may reflect the fact that lifestyle issues are often easier to identify and treat, or it may point to differences in the respective evidence bases; with evidence on managing major social issues being less apparent and less accessible to lawmakers and clinicians. Evidence about what can actually be done to manage the social determinants of health is required, specifically which interventions are most appropriate and for whom. Good health follows a social gradient and typically flows in the positive direction with increasing socioeconomic status; The importance of the social (as opposed to biological or genetic) causes of this increase for example, housing quality, access to healthcare or quality of work, has also been established. This has led to increasing pressure in research, practice and policy-making environments to investigate these wider social determinants of health, through the implementation of appropriate interventions, and thereby reducing the gradient and health …show more content…
These factors, which influence an individual’s or population’s health, are known as determinants of health. Recognizing the continuing problem of disparities, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed an action plan for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. The HHS Disparities Action Plan establishes a vision of, “a nation free of disparities in health and health care,” and sets out a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve this vision. The action plan builds on existing HHS initiatives, such as the Healthy People initiative. States, local communities, private organizations, and providers also are engaged in efforts to reduce health