Module 3 - The Determinants of Health
MODULE 3 |
Introduction to Determinants of Health
WHO THIS MODULE IS FOR
This module is for people who are interested in learning more about the range of factors that influence health outcomes. This module focuses on how to explore the ways in which structural determinants influence the impact of a health related policy or intervention. In this module we focus on systems analysis to support your ability to challenge what you see at face value and build robust plans that consider a wide range of externalities.
KEY LEARNINGS FROM MODULE
What are the 3 main determinants of health domains?
Criticisms of the Social Determinants of Health
Using a multi-domain determinants of health framework for evaluating risks.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US
This module is introductory, therefore we’re here to set your path but the journey you take can evolve. Numerous academics and researchers are continually investigating the different roles determinants of health have in outcomes. Therefore, it is an ever evolving landscape and our intention here is to introduce you to the work and give you enough information to act with.
INTRODUCTION
Determinants of health are areas of work discussed in epidemiology that combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities.
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population, and application of this knowledge to prevent diseases.
The work recognises that health is an outcome of various dynamic and intersecting systems.
Epidemiology has put forward the framing that there are a range of determinants of health for some time. They are known as 3 sub-categories of social, commercial, and political. These frameworks have been used by multiple scholars, organisations, and authorities to observe current health statistics, outcomes, inequalities, and inequities.
The Popular Framework
The Dahlgren-Whitehead rainbow is a model for determining health inequalities that maps the relationship between the individual, their environment and health. It was developed in 1991 by Göran Dahlgren and Margaret Whitehead and places individuals at the centre, with various layers of influences on health surrounding them, such as individual lifestyle factors, community influences, living and working conditions, and more general social conditions.
Source: Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991)