Social Determinants of Health

How do living and working conditions affect health?

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Staying healthy means many things. It means eating right. It also means exercising. But there's more to it than that. 

Our health depends on many factors. These include the resources in our homes and communities. It also depends on our schools and workplaces. The cleanliness of our water, food and air matter, too.

Multiple Choice

Staying healthy means many things. It means eating right. It also means ________.

• taking long walks

• covering your mouth

• exercising

Multiple Choice

These include the resources in our _________ and communities.

• homes

• cars

• stores

These factors are known as the social determinants of health. They include the conditions in which we are born. They also include the conditions in which we learn, work, grow and age. They have a huge impact on our health. They also impact our quality of life. 

Multiple Choice

Social determinants of health include the conditions in which we are born. They also include the conditions in which we learn, ______, grow and age.

• laugh

• grow

• work

Understanding Social Determinants Of Health

One social determinant of health is a person's socioeconomic position. This is how much money, power and resources a person has. People with more money can afford doctors. They can likely afford a better education. 

Social determinants also include your resources. These resources are important for meeting a person's daily needs. These needs include food and housing. They also include access to school and work opportunities. Access to doctors and transportation is important, too.

Multiple Choice

Socioeconomic position: is how much ________, power and resources a person has.

• silver

• money

• gold

Multiple Choice

True or False: Social Determinants include food and housing.

• True

• False

Public safety is another social determinant of health. Exposure to crime and violence is stressful. Stress can lead to poor health outcomes. Poverty can also impact a person's health. So can discrimination and racism.

Physical factors also play a role. Natural environments can make people feel better. These environments might include parks and gardens. Polluted environments also affect a person's health. Air and water pollution can lead to illness. 

Multiple Choice

Exposure to crime and violence is _________.

• stressful

• fun

• exciting

Multiple Choice

___________ can make people feel better.

• The weather

• blue skies

• Natural environments

Addressing Health Equity

Social determinants of health influence health equity. This is when everyone has the chance to be as healthy as they can be. Health inequity is when everyone does not have this chance. 

To achieve health equity, social determinants need to be addressed. Poverty contributes to health inequity. Lack of health care does, too. So does racism and lack of education.

Multiple Choice

_________ is when everyone does not have this chance.

• Unfairness

• Health inequity

• discrimination

Multiple Choice

True or False:

Poverty contributes to health inequity.

• True

• False