Themes

(Formerly knowledge networks)

During its tenure, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health focused on nine broad areas that contain within them major determinants of health. Each of the themes below was the area of a "knowledge network" (KN). Each KN was comprised of experts in the field and collectively they studied the pertinent social determinants and health equity issues. The final reports of the KNs, and other supporting background documents can be found here, as well as links to the organizations that led the work of the respective KN.

The key themes are integral to the work of the WHO implementation strategy as it moves forward and former CSDH knowledge networks are invited to display links to new products on this WHO site.

Early child development

Well established evidence illustrates that opportunities provided to young children are crucial in shaping lifelong health and development status.

• Early child development

Globalization

How globalization’s dynamics and processes affect health outcomes: trade liberalization, integration of production of goods.

• Globalization

Health systems

Innovative approaches that effectively incorporate action on social determinants of health.

• Health systems

Measurement and evidence

The development of methodologies and tools for measuring the causes, pathways and health outcomes of policy interventions.

• Measurement and evidence

Urbanization

Broad policy interventions related to healthy urbanization, including close examination of slum upgrading.

• Urbanization

Employment conditions

Measures to clarify how different types of jobs and the threat of unemployment affect workers’ health.

• Employment conditions

Social exclusion

The relational processes that lead to the exclusion of particular groups of people from engaging fully in community and social life.

• Social exclusion

Priority public health conditions

Factors in the design and implementation of programs that increase access to health care for socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

• Priority public health conditions

Women and gender equity

Mechanisms, processes and actions that can be taken to reduce gender-based inequities in health by examining different areas.

• Women and gender equity