The social determinants of health influence the health of populations. They include income and social status; social support networks; education; employment/working conditions; social environments; physical environments; personal health practices and coping skills; healthy child development; gender; and culture.
What you will find
These resources provide Canadian and international information to help you plan approaches to address the social determinants of health. For more information, please visit the Best Practices section for interventions related to social determinants of health.
Data
A first step to planning approaches to address the social determinants of health is to understand more about them through surveillance data:
Canadian Data
- Chronic Disease Infobase Data Cubes, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), Statistics Canada.
- The 2006 Canadian Birth-Census Cohort (PDF document), Statistics Canada (2016).
- Non-medical determinants of health, Data tables, maps and fact sheets. Statistics Canada.
- Chronic disease and injury indicator framework: Social and environmental determinants, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- Where you live matters: Report shows Canadians have different health care experiences (PDF document), Health Council of Canada (2014).
- Boosting momentum: Applying knowledge to advance health equity – 2014 Environmental Scan (PDF document), National Collaborating Center for Determinants of Health (2014).
- Trends in Income-related Health inequalities in Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Information (2015).
- Lifetime distributional effects of publicly financed health care in Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Information (2013).
- Indicators of Health inequalities (PDF document), Population Health Promotion Expert Group and the Healthy Living Issue Group for the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network (2009).
- Report on the state of public health in Canada 2008 (Health Inequalities), Chief Public Health Officer of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Reducing gaps in health: A focus on socio-economic status in urban Canada, Canadian Population Health Initiative of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (2008).
Aboriginal Data
- Reports of the Auditor General of Canada: Report 4: Access to health services for remote first nations communities (PDF document), Auditor General of Canada (2015).
- A statistical profile on the health of First Nations in Canada: Determinants of health, 2006-2010, Health Canada (2014).
- An overview of Aboriginal health in Canada, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- Pathways to improving well-being for indigenous peoples: How living conditions decide health (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- Addressing the social determinants of health of Aboriginal infants, children and families in British Columbia (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- Health inequities and social determinants of Aboriginal people’s health (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2009).
- Aboriginal peoples survey (APS),Statistics Canada (2014).
- Inuit health: Selected findings from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey,Statistics Canada (2013).
Provincial/Territorial Data
- Non-medical determinants of health, Data tables, maps and fact sheets. Statistics Canada
Alberta
- Interactive health data application, Alberta Health.
- Health determinants for First Nations in Alberta (PDF document), Health Canada (2010).
British Columbia
- Taking a second look: Analyzing health inequities in British Columbia with a sex, gender, and diversity lens (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2009).
Manitoba
- AllAboard: Manitoba’s poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy: 2013/14 annual report Annual report based on 21 indicators (including poverty rates and health) tracks poverty and social exclusion in Manitoba. Government of Manitoba.
- Chief Provincial Public Health Officer’s Report on the health status of Manitobans 2010. Priorities for prevention: Everyone, every place, every day, Manitoba Health.
New Brunswick
- A Report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Health Inequities in New Brunswick (PDF document), Department of Health, Government of New Brunswick (2016).
- Population health snapshot 2013/2014 (PDF document) New Brunswick Health Council.
Nunavut
- Fostering health through healing: Engaging the community to create a poverty reduction strategy in Nunavut (PDF document), National Collaborating Center for Determinants of Health (2014).
- Understanding Poverty in Nunavut (PDF document), Report prepared for The Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction (2012).
Ontario
Quebec
- Santéscope: Evolution for Québec: Socioeconomic conditions, (see drop down menu in social environment). Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
- Base de connaissances francophone sur les inégalités sociales de santé (French only). A French database on health inequalities is structured around four major themes: Social inequalities in health, social determinants of health, strategies to reduce health inequalities and equity-focused public policies. La Tribune sur les Inégalités Sociales de la santé.
- L’itinérance au Québec: Premier portrait (PDF document) (French only). An overview of homelessness in Quebec using data from three key indicators. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (2014).
- Québec et reste du Canada : une espérance de vie semblable qui cache des inégalités de mortalité (PDF document) (French only). A comparison of the life expectancy, age and cause of death between Quebecois and the rest of the Canadian population with the intent of uncovering health inequities. Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2014).
Yukon
- Dimensions of social inclusion and exclusion in Yukon 2010 (PDF document), Government of Yukon.
International Data
Europe
- Atlases of social inequalities, World Health Organization – Europe.
- Social determinants of health and well-being among young people: Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study: International report from the 2009/2010 Survey (PDF document), World Health Organization – Europe (2012).
- The children left behind: A league table of inequity in child well-being in the world’s rich countries (PDF document), UNICEF (2012).
- Poverty and social exclusion: Eurobarometer (PDF document), European Commission Public Health (2010).
New Zealand
- Health statistics: Ngā Awe o te Hauora: Socioeconomic determinants of health (50+ years), Ministry of Health (2012).
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
United States
- 2014 Health equity minority health survey, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
- Social determinants of health maps, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc.)
Canadian Strategies
- Canada’s response to WHO Commission on social determinants of health, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Policy approaches to reducing health inequalities (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (2016).
- Comprehensive policies to combat poverty across Canada, by province – Update, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2015).
- Critical examination of knowledge-to-action models and implications for promoting health equity, National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (2013).
- A guide to community engagement frameworks for action on the social determinants of health and health equity (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (2013).
- Canadian Reference Group on social determinants of health (PDF document). Background paper from Canadian Reference Group on Social Determinants of Health (2011).
- Community planning with a health equity lens: Promising directions and strategies (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2011).
- A healthy, productive Canada: A determinant of health approach (PDF document), The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology Final Report of Senate Subcommittee on Population Health (2009).
Aboriginal Strategies
- Pathways to improving well-being for Indigenous Peoples: How living conditions decide health, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- The Aboriginal health legislation and policy framework in Canada, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2011).
Provincial/Territorial/Regional Strategies
Alberta
- Alberta’s social policy framework, Government of Alberta (2013).
- Alberta Health Services: Establishing province-wide social determinants of health and health equity approach, National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (2013).
British Columbia
- Addressing the social determinants of health of Aboriginal infants, children and families in British Columbia, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- Towards reducing health inequities: A health system approach to chronic disease prevention: A discussion paper (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2011).
Manitoba
- All aboard: Manitoba’s poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy (PDF document), Government of Manitoba (2012).
New Brunswick
- Overcoming poverty together: The New Brunswick economic and social inclusion plan, 2014-2019 (PDF document), Government of New Brunswick (2014).
Northwest Territories
- Phase 2: Working Together To Achieve Healthier Lifestyles in Yukon and Northwest Territories Communities Arctic Institute of Community-based Research (2015).
- Government of the Northwest Territories anti-poverty action plan (PDF document), Government of the Northwest Territories (2014).
- Building on the strengths of Northerners: A strategic framework toward the elimination of poverty in the NWT (PDF document), Government of the Northwest Territories (2013).
Nunavut
- The Makimaniq plan: A shared approach to poverty reduction (PDF document), Government of Nunavut (2012).
Ontario
- Make no little plans – Ontario’s public health sector strategic plan, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2013).
- Realizing our potential: Ontario’s poverty reduction strategy (2014-2019), Government of Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
- Social action plan to reduce poverty, Department of Community Services and Seniors (2012).
Quebec
- Policy avenues: Interventions to reduce social inequalities in health – Synthesis (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2014).
- Plan d’action interministériel en itinérance 2015-2020 – Mobilisés et engagés pour prévenir et réduire l’itinérance (French only). Based on the key priorities outlined in the policy document entitled « Ensemble pour éviter la rue et en sortir », this interministerial action plan aims to prevent and reduce homelessness in Quebec. Ministry of Health and Social Services (2014).
- A strategy and indicators for monitoring social inequalities in health in Québec (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2013).
- La santé et ses determinants : Mieux comprendre pour mieux agir (PDF document) (French only). Determinants of health organized around a ‘map of health and health determinants’ framework. Ministry of Health and Social Services (2012).
Saskatchewan
- From dependence to independence: Actions and investments for Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable people (PDF document), Government of Saskatchewan (2012).
Yukon
- On the path together: Wellness Plan for Yukon’s Children and Families, Gouvernement du Yukon (2014).
- Phase 2: Working Together To Achieve Healthier Lifestyles in Yukon and Northwest Territories Communities Arctic Institute of Community-based Research (2015).
- Women’s Directorate strategic plan 2013-2018 (PDF document), Government of Yukon.
International Strategies
Australia
- Health equity in Australia: A policy framework based on the social determinants of obesity, alcohol and tobacco (PDF document), The Australian National Preventative Health Taskforce (2009).
- Foundations for a stronger, fairer Australia (PDF document), TDepartment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2011).
Europe
- European Portal for action on health inequalities, EuroHealthNet.
- Reducing health inequities in the European Union [Video], European Commission: Public Health (2010).
New Zealand
- ‘Ala Mo’ui: Pathways to Pacific Health and Wellbeing 2014–2018, Ministry of Health (2014).
Norway
- National strategy to reduce social inequalities in health (2006-2007), Minister of Health and Social Services (2008).
Sweden
- Sweden’s Strategy report for social protection and social inclusion 2006 – 2008, Government of Sweden.
United Kingdom
- Department of Health equality objectives 2012 to 2016 (PDF document), Department of Health, Government of UK (2012).
United States
- Social Determinants of Health: Know What Affects Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- A practitioner’s guide for advancing health equity: Community strategies for preventing chronic disease (PDF document), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013).
World Health Organization
- Health 2020: A European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century, Europe (2013).
- Rio political declaration on social determinants of health (PDF document) (2011).
- A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health (PDF document) (2010).
- Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health (PDF document) (2009).
Guidance
Canadian Guidance
- Health inequalities and intersectionality (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2015).
- Population health approach, Resources from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- A guide to community engagement frameworks for action on the social determinants of health and health equity, National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants of Health and Healthy Public Policy (2013).
- Tools and approaches for assessing and supporting public health action on the social determinants of health and health equity, National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants of Health and Healthy Public Policy (2012).
- Integrating social determinants of health and health equity into Canadian public health practice, National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants of Health (2011).
- Thirteen public interventions in Canada that have contributed to a reduction in health inequalities, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2010).
Provincial/Territorial Guidance
British Columbia
- Development of priority health equity indicators for British Columbia: Process and outcome report (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2014).
- Promoting health equity – choosing appropriate indicators: Literature scan (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2013).
Ontario
- Summary measures of socioeconomic inequalities in health: Technical report (PDF document), Public Health Ontario (2013).
- Primer to action: Social determinants of health – Revised edition (PDF document), Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance and Health Nexus Santé (2008).
Quebec
- Policy Avenues: Interventions to reduce social inequalities in health (PDF document), Institut national de santé publque Québec (2014).
- Cadre conceptuel de la santé et de ses déterminants – Résultat d’une réflexion commune (French only). A conceptual model for use in surveillance and public health planning. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (2010).
International Guidance
France
- Réduire les inégalités sociales en santé (PDF document) (French only). Designed as a tool to support those who work to decrease social inequities in health. Institut national de prévention et d’éducation pour la santé (2010).
Pan American Health Organization
United Kingdom
- Closing the gap: Setting local targets to reduce health inequalities, National Health Service.
United States
- CDC Social determinants of health resources, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
- A framework for educating health professionals to address the social determinants of health, National Academies Press (2016).
- Promoting health equity: A resource to help communities address social determinants of health (PDF document), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008).
World Health Organization
- Smart governance for health and well-being: The evidence, Europe (2014).
- Social determinants of health: The handbook on health inequality monitoring (2013).
- Addressing the social determinants of health: The urban dimension and the role of local government (2012).
- Intersectoral governance for health in all policies: Structures, actions and experiences (PDF document) (2012).
- Case studies on social determinants of health (2011).
- Social determinants approaches to public health: From concept to practice (PDF document) (2011).
- Equity, social determinants and public health programmes (PDF document) (2010).
- Health in all policies training manual (2015).
Systematic Reviews of the Research
Selected strong reviews from HealthEvidence.org:
- Quality improvement interventions to address health disparities. Closing the quality gap: Revisiting the state of the science (2012).
- Health literacy interventions and outcomes: An updated systematic review (2011).
- Interventions for enhancing consumers’ online health literacy (2011).
- Financial benefits for child health and well-being in low income or socially disadvantaged families in developed world countries (2008).
Search more systematic reviews.