Social determinants of health
The social (or wider) determinants of health refer to the social, cultural, political, economic, commercial and environmental factors that shape the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age
Some key social determinants of health are: our education and employment opportunities; our housing; our social networks; and where we live and the extent it facilitates exercise, a good diet and social connection. The Health Foundation’s programme of work on healthy lives complements our portfolio of work to improve health care delivery, and draws on our experience of making change happen in complex systems.
Our recent work and content on this topic is listed below.
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What makes us healthy?
As little as 10% of a population’s health and wellbeing is linked to access to health care. This infographic looks at some of the social determinants that influence our health.
Event: Thinking differently about health
Find out more about our work with the Frameworks Institute to help people think differently about health.
Two creative partnerships that got people thinking differently about health
Throughout 2018, the Health Foundation is proud to have been involved with two inspiring partnerships, both of which are encouraging people to empathise and engage in conversations about health.
ONS data reveals healthy life expectancy improvements stalling
Health Foundation response to ONS data on health state life expectancies, UK: 2015 to 2017.
Loneliness is a key risk factor for the future health of young people
Health Foundation response to the Office for National Statistics release on children’s and young people’s experience of loneliness.
Prioritising the nation’s health as an asset
David Finch explains why we need to start thinking about our nation’s health as an asset requiring investment.
Watch: System mapping as a tool for action
Catch up on our webinar which was broadcast on the 4 December 2018.
Four vital assets that contribute to a healthy future
As part of our Young People’s Future Health Inquiry, we spoke to young people (aged 22-26) from across the UK to discover the factors that helped or hindered them in their transition to adulthood.
Mapping the influences on young people’s mental health
We spoke to Yannis Munro, Mental Health Advisor at The Prince’s Trust, about how a complex adaptive systems approach is helping to map the web of connected issues which influence the mental health of ...
What was it like growing up in North Ayrshire?
Zoe is one of the young people who helped with our the research inquiry in North Ayrshire. She talks about some of the key issues that emerged in her area and how they reflect on her own experiences g...
Seeing the world through a young person’s eyes
Jo Bibby explains how our Young People's Future Health Inquiry helped us gain a deeper understanding of some of the common challenges young people face and the opportunities they have to overcome them...
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