Social Determinants and Health Disparities

Abstract

Social determinants and the underlying socioeconomic status as measured by employment, education, environment, housing, government, public health, psychosocial elements, and behavior, as well as their complex interplay, influences health disparities. There is a strong association between higher levels of socioeconomic status and good health. Conversely, individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES) have increased exposure to stress, psychological distress, and negative behavioral effects, which in turn increases the risk for many diseases. There is therefore a need to gain more insight into the socioeconomic context within which individuals, families, and/or communities work and play and the consequential impact on health outcomes in order to devise interventions that would improve adverse health outcomes.