A MIXED – METHODS STUDY IN THE ROLE OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH DISPARITIES

Abstract

The social determinants of health are the underlying circumstances that influence the conditions in which people are born, grow up, live, work, and age. They include a variety of health factors, usually split into upstream and downstream determinants. The upstream/downstream metaphor describes the association between these factors, with the upstream determinants being the underlying causes of health and disease, situated close to the source of the issue. Conversely, downstream determinants are nearer to the health effects and therefore are more observable and easier to reach for intervention. But targeting solely downstream determinants might not be as impactful as intervening at the root upstream factors, which cause a chain of causal events leading to undesirable health effects.  Thus, the most significant yet unexplored chances for enhancing health and lowering health inequalities can frequently be found by concentrating on the upstream, basic causes.  Since equity entails justice, it usually refers to distributive justice, the moral precept that opportunities and resources ought to be allocated equitably, especially when they have an impact on health