Determinants of Health
The health status of individuals and populations is determined by a wide range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors, collectively known as the Determinants of Health.
Key Determinant Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Biological/Genetic | Age, sex, hereditary factors, and genetic predispositions. |
| Social/Economic | Income, education, employment, social support networks, and community safety. |
| Environmental | Water quality, air quality, housing, climate, and physical infrastructure. |
| Behavioral/Lifestyle | Diet, physical activity, tobacco/alcohol use, and coping skills. |
| Health Services | Access to quality care, health literacy, and affordability. |
High-Yield Clinical Notes:
- The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): These are often the most influential, encompassing the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.
- Clinical Application: Addressing patient health requires looking beyond the immediate pathology to identify upstream factors (e.g., poor housing causing chronic asthma).
- Lalonde Report Framework: Suggests that health is determined by four main fields: Human Biology, Environment, Lifestyle, and Healthcare Organization.