Health providers have long recognized that social factors greatly influence the health of their patients. Across societies, socially disadvantaged populations are at a much higher risk of having poor health. Social Determinants of Health is becoming more of a priority as our societies are becoming more unequal in relation to wealth, income and job security. This in turn appears to be related to the growth in health inequalities. (Pinto,A.D., Bloch,G., Can Fam Physician, 2017 Nov; 63(11)).
Based on the Family Health Team and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto work on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) they suggest that every large primary care organization establish a SDOH committee. This committee would identify and support approaches to addressing the SDOH. These committees would form a network across provinces and countries to share what they have learned and to support one another. (Pinto,A.D., Bloch,G., Can Fam Physician, 2017 Nov; 63(11)).
The Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts,
Income and income distribution, unemployment and job security, employment and working conditions, education, food security, housing, the social safety net, health services, among other factors. (Kronstein,A. 2017).
With the significant health challenges Nova Scotia is facing the province is moving towards a population health approach since the traditional approaches have not been successful. This type of approach consists of citizens from a variety of backgrounds that will identify and build upon ideas that will make and keep their communities healthy. Lessons learned from this type of approach is that having different views on a problem can help find the appropriate solution. People need to work together. Effective partnerships need to have adequate time to collaborate. It is important to include the policy and decision makers. Expertise of community members is crucial. Finally, evaluation needs to take place to ensure the correct strategies are put in place to have the most positive influence on the determinants of health for the community. (Healthy People, Healthy Communities: Using the Population Health Approach in Nova Scotia).
Resources
King,N.B, Harper,S., Young, M.E. (2012 Oct 12). Who cars about health inequalities? Cross country evidence from the World Health Survey. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743307
Kronstein,A., (2017 May 5). The social determinants of health in Nova Scotia. Part1: Poverty makes you sick. Retrieved from https://nsadvocate.org/2017/05/11/the-social-determinants-of-health-in-nova-scotia-part-1-poverty-makes-you-sick/
Pinto,A.D., Bloch,G.(2017 Nov). Framework for building primary care capacity to address the social determinants of health. Canadian Family Physicians v.63(11). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685463/
https://www.youtube.com Let’s Talk: Health Equity and Nova Scotia’s Public Health Renewal Process
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