SPH 200 Unit 4: Social Determinants of Health

The Social Determinants of Health

• Key determinants include income and social status, employment, education, physical environments, social supports, genetics, gender, culture, and race.
• Dahlgren and Whitehead's model (1991) illustrates interconnected determinants influencing health.
• Transitions in life stages can affect health and socioeconomic advantage; such transitions include education, employment, family beginnings, and retirement.

Life Expectancy and Economic Factors

• Life expectancy varies by occupational class; disadvantaged individuals are more likely to experience continued disadvantage.
• Good health policy should support those with lower socio-economic status.
• Canada ranks among the highest for health care spending per capita but highlights inefficiency when spending does not address root causes of illness.

Income and Social Status

• Income distribution affects overall living conditions, diet quality, and physical activity levels.
• Wealth inequality is growing in Canada, necessitating reforms in minimum wage and expansion of health benefits (prescriptions, dental, and vision care).

Employment and Working Conditions

• Employment generally promotes better health compared to unemployment; however, workplace stress can negatively impact health.
• Factors affecting health outcomes include job security, work conditions, stress levels, and opportunities for individual development.
• In 1994, only 40% of Canadians reported significant autonomy in their work.

Education and Literacy

• Canada consistently performs well in global education rankings; high levels of educational attainment correlate with increased income, job security, and upward mobility.
• Higher education leads to better health outcomes through improved ability to manage personal health decisions.

Childhood Experiences

• Early childhood experiences shape adult health; crucial factors include maternal support, environmental exposures, and prenatal health conditions.
• Early nutrition, emotional support, and physical activity during pregnancy significantly influence fetal development.

Healthy Behaviours

• Health behaviours such as nutrition, exercise, and substance use are influenced by early environment and social determinants.
• Positive health behaviours are often promoted through public health campaigns aimed at community engagement.

Access to Health Services

• Canada's universal health care system aims to provide equitable access, especially benefiting lower-income citizens.
• The Canada Health Act mandates provinces to provide medically necessary services universally, though significant provincial variations exist.
• Lower-income Canadians face barriers to care, reporting difficulties in accessing specialists and after-hours services.

Physical Environments

• Physical conditions such as access to safe spaces for exercise, clean air, and housing quality directly impact health.

Genetic Endowment

• Chronic diseases often arise from interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental factors, emphasizing the complexity of health determinants.

Explore the various social determinants of health that influence well-being in SPH 200. This quiz covers factors such as income, education, and physical environments among others. Test your understanding of how these elements contribute to overall health and access to services.