Social determinants of health (SDH) are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the broader forces and systems that shape the conditions of everyday life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development challenges, social norms, social policies, and political systems.
SDH has important implications for health inequalities, the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes within and between countries. In countries at all income levels, health and disease follow a social gradient. The lower the socio-economic status, the worse the health status.
The following list provides examples of social determinants of health that can positively or negatively impact health equity.
- income and social security
- education
- Unemployment and job insecurity
- working living conditions
- food insecurity
- Housing, basic amenities, environment
- early childhood development
- social inclusion and non-discrimination
- structural contradiction
- Decent quality medical services will be available at affordable prices.
Research shows that social determinants may be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. For example, many studies suggest that SDH accounts for 30-55% of health outcomes. Furthermore, estimates show that the contribution of non-health sectors to population health outcomes exceeds the contribution from the health sector.
Adequately addressing SDH is fundamental to improving health and reducing long-standing health inequalities, and this requires action from all sectors and civil society.