Contributions to the Study of the Social Determinants of Health in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Health is determined by a multifaceted set of factors, which are not always easy to select and analyse, but whose study is essential for the adoption of adequate and long-lasting responses conducive to more equitable and healthy communities. This paper aims to study the social determinants of health in the AML, specifically: poverty / material deprivation; housing; access to health; employment; education. Research and documentary analysis focused on the determinants under study was supported by different official sources, on a national and regional basis. The study of the determinants in the AML revealed positive and negative trends. It is the Portuguese region with the lowest risk of poverty / material deprivation; it has the most qualified workers and has the highest educational levels. In contrast, housing deprivation indicators are the highest; it presents worrying indicators in terms of early school leaving for women and insufficient access to primary health care, namely to the family doctor. Therefore, investment in measures that promote access to primary health care in the AML is crucial as well as public policies that promote access to education, prevent school dropout and provide access to decent housing, considering a closeness, integrated, multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach.