.png)
About
Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are the social, economic, and environmental conditions that significantly influence individual and population health. These determinants include nutrition, environmental conditions, workplace environment, poverty, educational attainment, social class, housing, access to safe water, gender, unemployment, psychosocial stress, income level, social support, education, and other related factors. Collectively, they play a far greater role in shaping health outcomes than biological factors alone and are recognized as key drivers of disease, health inequities, and overall well-being.
Neglecting these determinants makes the achievement of health goals and health equity unattainable. Evidence indicates that social determinants account for more than 50% of the global burden of disease, disability, and premature mortality. Furthermore, the majority of health inequities arise from the unequal distribution and impact of these social determinants across populations.
A world characterized by profound health inequalities cannot be considered equitable or sustainable. Extensive scientific evidence demonstrates the substantial contribution of social determinants to the development and distribution of disease. Therefore, addressing these determinants is essential for reducing health disparities and promoting a more just, equitable, and healthier society.
Investigating the individual and structural relationships among social determinants of health has become a major priority of the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past decade, scientific knowledge regarding the impact of social determinants on health has advanced considerably, while the global policy environment has become increasingly supportive of evidence-based interventions. This presents a valuable opportunity that should not be overlooked.
Achieving meaningful progress in this field requires informed leadership with expertise in public health and related disciplines, as well as a strong commitment to ethical principles and sound policy-making. Recognizing the importance of these issues, the World Health Organization established the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, which has played a pivotal role in promoting research and guiding evidence-informed policies aimed at improving health equity worldwide.
In recent decades, scientific understanding of the social determinants of health has expanded rapidly, and many countries have incorporated this evidence into the development of innovative public health policies and strategies. As one of the leading countries committed to addressing the adverse effects of social determinants on health, the Islamic Republic of Iran established the Secretariat for Social Determinants of Health within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) in 2006, concurrent with the establishment of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health.
Affiliation
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Head of Social Determinants of Health
Contact US
Address: Kilometer 5, Damghan Road, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Physiology Research Center.
Postal Code: 35196-98375
Tel :+982333654367
Email: