Dominic Chavez / World Bank
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Building the evidence for action

There is increasing evidence in the scientific literature studying the causes of health inequities and what to do about it, for instance, what policies, institutions, investments and ways of working across sectors to address the social determinants of health can improve health equity.

A priority for the WHO team is to provide ongoing compilation of the evidence as it is generated, and to translate the evidence into meaningful information for action by government, civil society, other stakeholders and disadvantaged populations. This is being progressed through the development of the flagship World Report on Social Determinants of Health. 

Key strategies that WHO undertakes to build the evidence base includes:

  • Ensuring the provision of consistent, strong messages on the trends in health equity and their link to the social determinants of health;
  • Providing international evidence related to societal progress, well-being, health and equity and making the case for investment;
  • Monitoring essential conditions for health equity, and reviewing policies for evidence of health equity impacts;
  • Advancing intervention packages and disseminating information on concrete actions to be taken by countries and global actors;
  • Leading developments on the social determinants of health for equity in the WHO and the UN system;
  • Building networks to support research alliances; and 
  • Progressing the development of a core set of indicators that describe social determinants of health to promote consistency in global and national reporting.  

19 years

People born in high

human development (HD) countries have 19 yrs higher life expectancy than people in low HD countries

100%

Low educated subgroups report 100% more often "poor health" than tertiary educated

50%

Under-5 child

mortality reduction is attributed to 50% of investments outside the health sector

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7%

Cash transfers to

low income households decrease infant undernourishment by 7%

10%

Cash transfers

increase rural school attendance by 10% in low income households

Double

COVID-19

incidence & mortality rates in deprived areas are double rates of the least deprived areas

Publications

All →
Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health

Social justice is a matter of life and death. It affects the way people live, their consequent chance of illness, and their risk of premature death....

Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health - Final report of the commission on social determinants of health

Social justice is a matter of life and death. It affects the way people live, their consequent chance of illness, and their risk of premature death....

Closing the gap : policy into practice on social determinants of health : discussion paper

This discussion paper aims to inform proceedings at the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health [‎Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 19-21 October, 2011]‎ 

Events

Regional publications

Healthy cities tackle the social determinants of inequities in health: a framework for action

This report provides practical guidance for taking action to address health inequalities at the local level. It offers helpful explanations of key concepts...

Tackling health inequities: from concepts to practice, The experience of Västra Götaland

Despite remarkable health gains, inequities persist between and within countries in the WHO European Region and Sweden is no exception. Actions to effectively...

Health inequities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: selected country case studies

This report aims to assess the extent of health inequities within and across countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It identifies the major factors...

In the last decades, health in the Region of the Americas has improved dramatically, yet many people are being left behind. PAHO has established the Commission...

In the last decades, health in the Region of the Americas has improved dramatically, yet many people are being left behind. PAHO has established the Commission...