Kin 170 - social determinants of health

What are social determinants?

Conditions which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. (aka living)

How are social determinants shaped?

Shaped by global, national, and local levels of power and resources

What are health inequities?

Unfair and avoidable differences in status that are social injustices

What is equality? What does it involve?

Sameness. Equality does not pay attention to differences, rather giving the same help to everyone

What is equity? What does it involve?

Fairness. Equity considers people first and how to treat them according to needs

What is the importance of studying social determinants of health?

It helps one address the source/patterns of the problem and look past genetics and traditional risk factors as the only explanation

Who/What are circumstances shaped by?

Larger forces like politics, economics, and social policies

What is the most important social determinant of health? Why?

Income - determines who has access to basic necessities and better ways of living (education, housing, etc)