When looking at social determinants of health at a federal level, I thought it would be best to use the Government of Canada Website. Within the website, there is an outline of the social and economic influences on health that include Income and social status, Employment and working conditions, education and literacy, Childhood experiences, Physical environments, Social supports and coping skills, healthy behaviours, access to health services, Biology and genetic endowment, Gender, Culture, and Race / Racism (Government of Canada, 2020). This website defines determinants of health as the range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that can determine individual and population health (Government of Canada, 2020). Although this website only briefly overviews social determinants of health, many different determinants fall under each category outlined above. For example, being an LGBTQ+ individual is a huge factor in determining a person’s health, but it is not explicitly described in the health determinants outlined by this site.
This site also outlines what health inequalities are and how Canada's Government is working to reduce them in a three-step plan. An example of health inequality is living in a northern region of Canada and not having the same access to nutritious food as other regions of Canada. Canada’s three-step plan helps identify and attempt to eliminate inequalities such as those I just mentioned. This plan includes
Strengthening the evidence base to inform decision-making
Engaging beyond the health sector
Sharing knowledge of action across Canada
The plan attempts to identify inequality areas, work with various leaders to determine how to eliminate these areas of inequality, and share this knowledge with the rest of the country (Government of Canada, 2020).
Overall, many different factors can determine the health of one individual or the health of a population.
Government of Canada. (2021). Health Inequalities Data Tool. Retrieved from https://health-infobase.canada.ca/health-inequalities/data-tool/index
Government of Canada. (2020). Social determinants of health and health inequalities. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html
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