Closing the gap in a generation

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, and are themselves influenced by policy choices.

This report argues that social determinants of health are largely responsible for health inequities, or the unfair and avoidable differences in health status within and between countries.

Overarching recommendations, provided in the report, to reduce health inequities include:

• reduce disparities and improve the conditions of daily life, such as through improving the well-being of girls and women and the circumstances in which their children are born
• tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources through, for example, strengthened governance
• measure and understand the problem, assess the impact of action, expand the knowledge base, develop a workforce that is trained in the social determinants of health, and raise public awareness about the social determinants of health