Grant Programmes

Determinants of Health

1. Income and social status

The healthiest populations are those living in societies that are prosperous and have an equitable distribution of wealth. Low-income Canadians are more likely to die earlier and to suffer more illnesses.

2. Social support networks

Support from families, friends and communities is associated with better health.

3. Education and literacy

Health status improves with level of education. Education is closely tied to socioeconomic status and promotes health and prosperity by equipping people with knowledge and skills for problem-solving.

4. Employment/working conditions

Unemployment, underemployment and stressful or unsafe work are associated with poorer health. People who have more control over their work circumstances and fewer stress-related demands of the job are healthier and often live longer than those in more stressful or riskier work and activities.

5. Social environments

Social stability, recognition of diversity, safety, good working relationships and cohesive communities provide a supportive society that reduces or avoids many potential risks to good health.

6. Physical environments

At certain levels of exposure, contaminants in our air, water, food and soil can cause a variety of adverse health effects, including cancer, birth defects, respiratory illness and gastrointestinal ailments.

7. Personal health practices and coping skills

Personal health practices and coping skills refer to those actions by which individuals can prevent diseases and promote self-care, cope with challenges, and develop self-reliance, solve problems and make choices that enhance health. Personal life "choices" are greatly influenced by the socioeconomic environments in which people live, learn, work and play.

8. Healthy child development

A young person's development is greatly affected by his or her housing and neighbourhood, family income and level of parents' education, access to nutritious foods and physical recreation, genetic makeup and access to dental and medical care.

9. Biology and genetic endowment

Genetic endowment provides an inherited predisposition to a wide range of individual responses that affect health status.

10. Health services

Health services, particularly those designed to maintain and promote health, to prevent disease, and to restore health and function contribute to population health.

11. Gender

Men are more likely to die prematurely than women, largely as a result of heart disease, fatal unintentional injuries, cancer and suicide.

12. Culture

Some persons or groups may face additional health risks due to a socio-economic environment largely determined by dominant cultural values that contribute to the perpetuation of marginalization and lack of access to health care. Culture also speaks to our values, heritage and the creative arts.

Adapted and reproduced with the permission of : Martin, D. & Schwenger, S. Prescribing Prevention: Health Promotion and Stroke Prevention (2004). Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. Source: Prevent Stroke

Public Health Agency of Canada, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/determinants/index.html#determinants, retrieved January 13, 2006. Lists of determinants of health vary somewhat. For instance, the World Health Organization recognizes peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable eco-system, sustainable resources, social justice, and equity.