The Social Determinants of Health

Over many years the term ‘health ’ has been defined in various ways. Nevertheless it is widely acknowledged that health is a multi-dimensional concept that transcends the mere absence of illness. Our experience of health and wellbeing is contributed to by employment/income, social status, education/literacy, housing and environment, early life experiences and genetics, access to nutritious food, individual behaviours and lifestyle factors and access to appropriate and effective primary health care. To acknowledge and investigate the influence social and environmental factors have on the health of individuals and groups is not a recent concept. Advances in medical treatments and in the human lifespan over the last 150 years have been greatly influenced by improved living and working conditions in the Western world. It is important to note however that the gains enjoyed by many thereby have not been felt by all within society. Despite unprecedented economic gains both nationally and in South Australia, the gap between rich and poor is widening, and health care, education and other human services are struggling to cope with demand. Governments in developed nations are increasingly embracing the concept of the social determinants of health and wellbeing, and are cognisant of the role they play in ameliorating th