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Social determinants of health

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Social determinants 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. Knowledge areas will be updated as work is generated within the Department of Ethics, Equity, Trade, and Human Rights (ETH) 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


ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Key concepts
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION

The Report, Executive Summaries and backgrounders

Interview Sir Michael Marmott
Interview with Sir Michael Marmott, Chair CSDH
Video [streaming wmv, 00:06:22]

Dr Margaret Chan WHO Director-
General


MEETINGS

Closing the Gap in a Generation (London, November 2008)

Wellcome Centre History of Medicine (London, November 2008)

Challenges of working at the country level on SDH and support needs (Geneva, June 2008)

World Social Science Forum


TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

PAHO/WHO self-instructional course on social determinants of health


RELATED TOPICS

Primary health care