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Social determinants of health

Key points

  • The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age, and the systems put in place to deal with illness. These circumstances are in turn shaped by a wider set of forces: economics, social policies, and politics (WHO, 2014).
  • Determinants are factors at a system, social or community level that affect the likelihood that people will be exposed to or develop a disease or condition.
  • Australian research has identified three key social determinants of mental health and wellbeing: social inclusion, freedom from violence and discrimination, and economic participation or income security.
  • A range of interrelated concepts and frameworks inform, and are informed by an SDOH approach, including:
    • Health promotion
    • Human rights
    • Inequality
    • Community wellbeing
    • Social responsibility within health professions

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