It Takes a Village

Social Determinants of Health > Definitions

Definitions

Short Definition: “The socio-economic conditions that shape the health of individuals, communities, and jurisdictions as a whole.”
(Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives, 2nd edition. Dennis Raphael. 2008.)

Longer Definition: “The complex, integrated, and overlapping social structures and economic systems that are responsible for most health inequities. These social structures and economic systems include the social environment, physical environment, health services, and structural and societal factors. Social determinants of health are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources throughout local communities, nations, and the world.”
(Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Final report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. 2008, World Health Organization: Geneva.)