Approach to Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

The World Health Organization defines social determinants of health (SDH) as the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These circumstances are shaped by the global, national, and local distribution of money, power, and resources. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities, which are unfair and avoidable differences in health status within and between countries. Socioeconomic status―such as income, education, and occupation―is often operationalized as a constructive mediator between SDH and their health effects. The mechanisms through which socioeconomic status affects people’s health involve psychosocial and biological pathways. Several successful interventions were considered, as they could reduce social and organizational health inequalities. In certain clinical settings, socioeconomic status is beginning to be measured for the precise evaluation of patients and, if necessary, patients are referred to a link employee who can help them by connecting them with the appropriate social resources to resolve their problems (social prescribing). However, if no solution is provided, screening patients with a low socioeconomic status can be unethical. Thus, the Bio-Psycho-Socio-Ethical model, the foundation of psychosomatic medicine, can address health inequality.