6.2. Bottom-up, equity-focused development of indicators and data analysis for the social determinants of health and health equity
Traditional health metrics often fail to capture the complexity of health inequities. This area promotes the co-creation of context-specific indicators and innovative analytical approaches that reflect local realities, ensuring that data used to evaluate interventions and inform policy changes is relevant.
Examples from SIMASHE
Intersectoral Workshop for the Design of a Monitoring System for Social Determinants of Health in Suaza, Colombia: Organized by PAHO and local health authorities, this workshop brought together municipal and community leaders to design a monitoring system for the social determinants of health. Participants identified key social determinants related to their prioritized health issues and discussed the necessary indicators for measurement. Participants included government officials, community leaders, health care representatives and educators.
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Study on risk factors and social determinants of health in Tolosa, Leyte, the Philippines: Tolosa pioneered the first municipal-level initiative in the Philippines to analyze noncommunicable disease risk factors in relation to their social determinants. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study gathered data from 710 respondents across the municipality. To ensure relevance and promote local ownership, community leaders and members participated in validating results and co-identifying solutions. This participatory approach deepened understanding of lifestyle-related health risks and informed targeted strategies. The data now serves as a critical baseline to guide and monitor future interventions.
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Key intervention activities
SIMASHE is continuously seeking examples related to this area of work, including activities for:
- co-developing indicators through an intersectoral lens with communities.
- performing association analyses, disaggregating data by SDH at the small-area or district level.
- identifying mechanisms generating inequities through qualitative and modelling studies using explicit theoretical frameworks.
- establishing mechanisms to monitor changes in SDH and health equity indicators locally over time.
- formalizing the involvement of populations in conditions of vulnerability in monitoring and evaluating public policy impacts.