Reframing the conversation on the social determinants of health
February 2019

Key points
- Despite extensive evidence for the impact of social determinants on people’s health, public discourse and policy action is limited in acknowledging the role that societal factors such as housing, education, welfare and work play in shaping people’s long-term health.
- There are many reasons for this, but one factor that merits greater attention is the way in which the evidence is communicated to and understood by the public.
- The FrameWorks Institute has identified a range of ‘cultural models’– common but implicit assumptions and patterns of thinking – that give deeper insight into how people think about what makes them healthy.
- Understanding which cultural models promote – or obscure – people’s awareness of the importance of social determinants is an important first step in developing effective ways of framing the evidence.
The Health Foundation is working with the FrameWorks Institute to develop a deeper appreciation of the ways in which people understand and think about health in order to develop more effective approaches to communicating evidence.
Read the full list of key points
This briefing presents the main findings from research commissioned by the Health Foundation and carried out by the FrameWorks Institute, analysing public understanding, expert opinion and media narrative around health. It also presents findings from questions sponsored by the Health Foundation in the 2017 British Social Attitudes survey.
Four key challenges are identified that communicators must tackle to achieve wider public acceptance of the evidence on the social determinants of health.
The briefing concludes by reiterating that by building wider understanding of the social determinants beyond those working in the field, we can build support for the policies and programmes needed to reduce health inequalities and improve health.
In phase two of this work we will be developing and testing new ways to communicate more effectively about health. To sign up for updates, email Rachel.Cresswell@health.org.uk
Cite this publication
Discover
Thinking differently about health
Our health is shaped by a wide range of factors, from the jobs we do to the places where we live....
Newsletter feature
Plain talking about what makes us healthy
Social awareness drives change. And yet media headlines reflect and reinforce an individualistic...
Further reading
Quick guide
What makes us healthy?
This guide explores how a person’s opportunity for health is influenced by factors outside the...
Analysis
Creating healthy lives
This publication makes the case for an ambitious, whole-government approach to long-term investment...
You might also like...
Press release
Over 200,000 more people are at risk of poor mental health this year due to unemployment
New analysis by the Health Foundation estimates that over 200,000 more people are at risk of poor...
Press release
Welcome recognition that a healthy population is one of our nation’s most important assets
Health Foundation response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity's Levelling Up Health...
Blog
Gender divide: a post-COVID recovery must address pandemic inequalities
Mehrunisha Suleman outlines the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on women, and what must be done...
Get social
Health Foundation @HealthFdn
The NHS delivered remarkable amount of elective treatment during pandemic's 2nd wave, but 4m fewer people completed… https://t.co/SpFjxr78xX
Follow us on TwitterWork with us
We look for talented and passionate individuals as everyone at the Health Foundation has an important role to play.
View current vacanciesThe Q community
Q is an initiative connecting people with improvement expertise across the UK.
Find out more