It involves a wide range of stakeholders within and beyond the health sector and all levels of government. The social determinants of health equity is a complex and multifaceted field.

There are challenges to overcome in implementing action to address health inequities through the social determinants of health. In addition, estimates show that the contribution of sectors outside health to population health outcomes exceeds the contribution from the health sector.Īddressing SDH appropriately is fundamental for improving health and reducing longstanding inequities in health, which requires action by all sectors and civil society. For example, numerous studies suggest that SDH account for between 30-55% of health outcomes. Research shows that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. Access to affordable health services of decent quality.Social inclusion and non-discrimination.Housing, basic amenities and the environment.The following list provides examples of the social determinants of health, which can influence health equity in positive and negative ways: In countries at all levels of income, health and illness follow a social gradient: the lower the socioeconomic position, the worse the health. The SDH have an important influence on health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.

They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. The social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.

Global social work journal