Health Disparities Week 1

The social, economic, and political conditions that shape the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Differences between two or more populations in health outcomes, amount of burden of disease, disability, injury, or death

UNJUST differences in health between persons of different social groups

Observable health differences between sub groups within a population; can be measured and monitored

Social conditions in which people live powerfully influences their chances to be healthy

Poverty, food insecurity, social exclusion and discrimination, poor housing, unhealthy early childhood conditions and low occupational status

Social- environment- political determinants (I.e. transportation, stress, education)

Social determinants of health create health inequities

Social determinants contribute to health inequalities between social groups. Social groupings are not equal (male v female)

Social determinants can influence health both directly and indirectly (i.e risk of poverty)

1. Have lower levels of educational attainment (grade levels)
2. Have lower earnings and are more likely to live in poverty as adults

1. Government social spending, distribution of income
2. Psychosocial factors such as stress, isolation, social relationships, social capital and social support
3. Behavioral or lifestyle factors

Safe places to exercise, access to healthy foods, violence

No data no problem

Examines how different social determinants operate or accumulate as advantages or disadvantages over different stages of the lifecycle

1. Focusing on the most disadvantaged groups
2. Narrowing the health gap

Targets worst off or poorest groups and aims to improve their health through specific measures. Can improve health of worst off, even if health gap between rich and poor is unchanged

Aims to improve the health of those who are poorest or most disadvantages by raising their health outcomes closer to those who are most advantaged. Usually involves target setting to reduce disparity between most advantaged and most disadvantages groups