Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of Health

• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are conditions influencing health where people are born, grow, live, work, and age.
• Examples of SDOH: socioeconomic status, education, social support, access to healthcare, and physical environment.

Influence of Social Determinants on Health Outcomes

• Social determinants shape health outcomes significantly.
• Higher socioeconomic status correlates with better health, while poverty is linked to higher rates of chronic diseases.
• Example: Low-income areas face limited access to healthcare and nutritious food, resulting in higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Economic Determinants Impacting Global Health

• Economic determinants: GDP, income inequality, and employment.
• Strong economies are linked to better-funded healthcare and higher life expectancies.

Political Determinants Impacting Global Health

• Political stability influences investment in healthcare and social welfare.
• Example: Stable regions tend to have better healthcare infrastructure, while conflict leads to the breakdown of healthcare systems, resulting in increased rates of malnutrition and infectious diseases.

Social-Ecological Model Overview

• The Social-Ecological Model is a theory-based framework used to understand the multifaceted and interactive effects of personal and environmental factors that determine behaviors that affect health.
• The model comprises five components:
  • Individual level: biological and personal factors such as age, education, income, attitudes, beliefs, and skills.
  • Interpersonal level: formal and informal social networks and support systems.
  • Organizational level: rules, regulations, policies, and informal structures within organizations.
  • Community level: relationships among organizations, institutions, and informational networks within defined boundaries.
  • Public policy level: local, state, and national laws and policies that regulate or support healthy practices and behaviors.

Application of Social-Ecological Model in Global Health

• Design of interventions: targeting determinants at various levels.
• Strategy: community-based programs and policy changes.
• Example: anti-smoking initiatives combining individual, community, and policy interventions, resulting in a reduction in smoking prevalence.

Addressing Determinants of Health in Global Health Policy

• Importance: policies shape socioeconomic factors and healthcare access.
• Strategies: addressing inequalities, promoting education and employment.