Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network - Tasmania: Let’s have a conversation about the language of health

06 March 2015

Let’s have a conversation about the language of health

Let’s have a conversation about the language of health

a conversation about health - where health starts - in our everyday lives

Let’s stop and have a serious look at what it is that really keeps us healthy or makes us sick.

And we’re not just talking about whether we did some exercise or if we quit smoking - we’re talking about the things that make up our neighbourhoods, communities, as well as a the bigger wider world – the factors that influence the choices we are able to make. Think about the things that you are exposed to in your everyday life – that might cause stress and make you more susceptible to ill health, or factors that keep stressors at bay and protect your health.

Let’s have a conversation about health – where health starts – in our everyday lives.

Health is influenced by lots of factors and we want to find out what Tasmanians from all walks of life have to say about health and its determinants.

This project is being run by the Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network – Tasmania and is being undertaken by Miriam Vandenberg (Herzfeld) & Michael Bentley.

We’ll be running a series of focus groups in April 2015 and are looking for people willing to volunteer about two hours of their time to be involved.

If you would like to participate in this study please contact Miriam or Michael for more information:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

This project has ethics approval from the Tasmanian Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee.

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What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.