Social Determinants in Human Health

Abstract

Health is the cornerstone of building a better life and a fundamental component of the stable and sustainable development of the society. The United Nations proposed the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 and the importance of health promotion was confirmed in the Shanghai Declaration in 2016 because almost all the remaining goals interrelate directly or indirectly with health and wellness. This impact was particularly noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus attacked human health, it also had a significant negative influence on the environment, society, economy, healthcare access and quality, relationships, lifestyle and equity. The consequent reversal of efforts in the implementation and development of SDG 3 made by countries and organisations will be reviewed, addressing the socio-economic inequalities and determinants in public health. In addition, the development of health promotion has been, to some extent, limited by the lack of manpower, particularly those with relevant knowledge and experience and time constraints. To promote population health, governments and organisations must attend to the social determinants because good health not only enhances the quality of life and motivation of work but also helps to push the smooth implementation of more healthy policies and to allow the community to grasp health knowledge and a good way to maintain the commitment to achieving sustainable development in health promotion.