11 Determinants of Health

Research shows that poor people are less healthy than rich people. Income distribution in a society is also a key element. The greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health.

Unemployment is linked with poor health. Those who are employed are healthier when they have more control over their working conditions.

Clean air and water, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health.

Personal practices include whether a person eats well and is physically active, and whether they smoke or drink. Coping skills refer to the way we relate to the people around us and handle life’s stresses and challenges.

People’s customs and traditions, and the beliefs of their family and community all affect their health. This is because these factors will influence what they think, feel, do and believe to be important.

Support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health. This kind of support helps people handle difficult situations.

There is a lot of research that shows that low literacy skills are linked with poor health. Moreover, people with low literacy skills can suffer from stress and reduced self-confidence. This often makes it hard for them to seek employment or social support. So the more education we have, the more likely we are to be healthy.

There is good evidence that things that happen to us when we are children affect our health and well-being. These experiences affect us not only during childhood, but also through the rest of the life cycle.

Men and women get different kinds of diseases and conditions at different ages. They also tend to have different income levels, and to work at different kinds of jobs. Many of these realities result from the differences in the way society treats men and women.

It benefits people’s health when they have access to services that prevent disease, as well as maintain and promote health.