Your Alberta Health Act – Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health: the facts
Since 1900, our lifespan has increased by 30 years. Advances and initiatives in public health have resulted in 25 of those additional years. Public health is commonly defined as preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through initiatives targeted at society, organizations, communities and individuals.There are a number of factors that impact and determine one’s health and wellbeing. While one’s genetics and the formal health care system have a role, the greatest contributors are social determinants of health. Many research studies have found that the social determinants of health have a 60 per cent influence on one’s health status, whereas genetics and the health care system have a 15 per cent and 25 per cent influence respectively.
The social determinants of health include:
- Age, sex and heredity;
- Environmental conditions;
- Health behaviors;
- Income;
- Early childhood development;
- Education and literacy;
- Employment and working conditions;
- Food security;
- Environment and housing;
- Access to health care;
- Social support; and
- Aboriginal status.
