Health And Health Determinants

According to the World Health Organization health is defined as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

With the rapid advancement in health research and medical science, health has become a very complex and multi-faceted entity and this definition does not stand anymore. In this blog I will be discussing the many factors that influence the health status in a community and how health leaders can reduce health inequities amongst the Canadian population.

The range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health status are known as determinants of health.

There are many factors that contribute to the health and wellness of individuals and the societies in which they live. These determinants of health are influenced by a combination of factors and can be broadly classified into these categories:

Social determinants

1- Culture

2- Race

3- Language barriers

4- Social support network

5- Employment & working conditions

6- Quality of health services available.

7- Education

8- Public safety

9- Transportation

10- Healthy child development

Biological/genetic determinants

1- Age

2- Sex

3- Predisposing health conditions

4- Inherited genetic conditions

5- Biology and genetic endowment

6- Mental illness

Personal determinants

1- Diet

2- Physical activity

3- Personal Hygiene

4- General health

5- Healthy behaviors

6- Substance abuse

7- Exposure to crime, violence, and domestic abuse

8- Complex health needs

9- Unhealthy coping behaviors to stress & illness

Physical Determinants

1- Natural environment

2- Structural built environment

3- Worksites, schools, and recreational settings

4- Housing, homes, and neighborhoods

5- Exposure to toxic substances and other physical hazards

6- Physical barriers, especially for people with disabilities

This short video briefly explains the determinants of health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSguDQRjZv0

Health inequity refers to health inequalities that are unfair or unjust and modifiable. For example, Canadians who live in remote or northern regions do not have the same access to nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables as other Canadians.

Government of Canada. (2020)

The Boards of health should identify the social determinants of health and come up with strategies and programs that can bridge the gap so that all Ontarians have access to good health care services. Special focus should be on those that are at a greater risk of poor health outcomes. By engaging beyond the health sector we can improve health equity.

Although Ontario has made it a priority by initiating multiple programs, but there is a lot that needs to be done for the recognition of the impact that social determinants of health on our society. The leaders need to collaborate, engage, and build partnership to initiate public health programs and services to meet local needs, while also working towards common outcomes.

Reference

Fallon, C. K., & Karlawish, J. (2019). Is the WHO Definition of Health Aging Well? Frameworks for “Health” After Three Score and Ten. American Journal of Public Health, 109(8), 1104–1106. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305177

Government of Canada. (2018). Determinants of Health. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/determinants-health.html

Government of Canada. (2020). Social determinants of health and health inequalities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html

Healthy People. gov. (2020). Determinants of Health. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health

Huber, M. (2011). Health: How should we Define it? BMJ: British Medical Journal,343(7817), 235-237. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23051314

Let's Learn Public Health. (2020).Determinants of Health – A practical approach! [Video]

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (2018). Protecting and Promoting the Health of Ontarians. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/protocols_guidelines/Ontario_Public_Health_Standards_2018_en.pdf

World Health Organization. (n. d.). https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/constitution