STRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Structural determinants of health are the societal, economic, and political factors that shape the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These factors, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination, influence individual and population health outcomes by creating and maintaining social hierarchies. They operate at a macro level, affecting large numbers of people and influencing the distribution of resources and power. 

​

Key aspects of structural determinants:

Social and political mechanisms:

Structural determinants encompass the social and political structures that create and maintain social hierarchies and inequalities. These include things like the labor market, education system, and political institutions. 

​

Macro-level influences:

Structural determinants operate at a broad level, impacting large populations and contributing to social stratification based on factors like income, race, and gender. 

​

Impact on health outcomes:

These determinants affect health by influencing the conditions in which people live, work, and age. They can lead to health disparities, with socially disadvantaged groups experiencing poorer health outcomes. 

​

Examples:

Structural determinants can include governance structures, economic policies, social policies, laws, regulations, and the distribution of resources. For example, policies related to housing affordability, education access, or healthcare financing can all have a significant impact on health. 

​

Relationship to social determinants:

Structural determinants are considered a higher-level category that shapes the social determinants of health. Social determinants, in turn, operate at the individual or community level to influence health. 

​

In essence, structural determinants are the underlying systems and policies that create the conditions in which health inequities flourish.