Poverty, inequality, early childhood development, housing, social exclusion, racism, sexism and many other social and economic factors have a significant impact on health and health disparities.
Research and extensive experience in countries around the world show that health disparities can be reduced through coordinated and comprehensive public policy and investment that address these social determinants of health.
Policy measures and investments can, for example:
- reduce poverty and inequality
- increase affordable housing
- support early childhood development, and
- reduce the social exclusion of many communities
At the Wellesley Institute we are especially interested in how social determinants and health inequalities can be address through policy action. See our papers, presentations and blog commentaries listed on this page to learn more.
We provide links to other organizations have a focus on social determinants of health and a selection of key resources on this issue.
Information about specific social determinants of health (for example, housing & homelessness) is available on other Issue pages.
Latest Blog Entry
Jul 07th, 2008 by Krista Banasiak
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There is widespread recognition that local community driven initiatives play a key role in alleviating health disparities. Determine, the second stage of the EU's Closing the Gap project, has created a detailed report highlighting some innovative bottom-up case studies from around that world that deal with health equity.
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