Social factors of health

The determinants of health

The social and economic
environment
1. Air and
water quality
2. Housing area

The physical environment

1. Alcohol
The persons individual
abuse
characteristics2.and
Diet &behaviours.
exercise
3. Tobacco use

Income and
social status

Social supports

Education

Social
factors

Health
service
Employme
nt

Gender

Income and social status

Higher income and social status are
linked to better health.
It can protect us in times of economic
distress.
Low income mothers are more likely
than higher income mothers to have
pre-term or low birth weight babies.

Education
Low education levels are linked with
poor health, more stress and lower selfconfidence

Social support networks

Supports from families, friends and
communities are very important.
Socially isolated individuals have an
increased risk for poor health
outcomes.

Employment
Employment provides income and,
often, benefits that can support
healthy lifestyle choices.
Unemployed faces greater
challenges to health and well-being,
including lost income, increased
stress, high blood pressure, heart
disease, and depression.

Health services
Access and use of services that
prevent and treat disease influences
health.

Gender
Men and women suffer from
different types of diseases at
different ages.