Social Determinants
"Addressing the Social Determinants of Health
in Canada: Bridging the Gap Between Research Findings and Public
Policy" (2003)
by Dennis Raphael
Policy Options
In spite of an accumulated body of evidence
and Canada's own expertise on the topic, there is currently a policy
vacuum on social determinants of health, as the costs and delivery
of health care services have come to dominate the public debate.
Whereas Canada was a leader in the 1970s and 1980s, it has now fallen
behind countries such as the United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden.
If we continue to ignore these broader policy issues, promoting
healthy lifestyles and increasing spending on medical care are unlikely
to succeed in maintaining and improving the health of Canadians.
Establishing a social determinants of health task force to consider
the findings and implement their implications would be a valuable
first step in this direction.
Social
Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts — pdf
World Health Organization
This publication examines this social gradient in health, and explains
how psychological and social influences affect physical health and
longevity. It then looks at what is known about the most important
social determinants of health today, and the role that public policy
can play in shaping a social environment that is more conducive
to better health. 33 pages
What
are the social determinants of health and mental health? —
pdf
Community Life, Australia
Provides a brief overview of the issues related
to the social determinants and their impact on mental health. Produced
by an Australian community-based suicide prevention organization.
The Social Determinants of Health: An Overview of
the Implications for Policy and the Role of the Health Sector
Health
Canada – Population Health
In late 2002, 400 social and health policy experts,
community representatives, and health researchers met at York University
at a conference entitled "Social Determinants of Health Across
the Life-Span". The purpose of the conference was to consider
the state of key social determinants of health (SDOH) across Canada,
explore the implications for the health of Canadians, and discuss
policy directions to strengthen these social determinants of health.
Summaries of a series of research
papers and presentations on the nine SDOH below were produced by
Health Canada, including an overview paper that ties all of the
issues together under a population health approach.
Back to top |
