Social Determinants of Health: A Health-Centered Approach to Multi-Sectoral Action

The social determinants of health (SDH) are critical contextual factors, predominantly social, that directly and indirectly influence health outcomes by shaping individual behaviors and environmental health risks. SDH account for a significant portion of the burden of disease. Addressing these determinants through proven cost-effective interventions, such as reducing tobacco consumption, improving nutrition, and mitigating household air pollution, can prevent unnecessary illness and mortality. Moreover, tackling SDH enhances health equity, reduces the strain on healthcare systems, and accelerates progress toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper highlights the importance of integrated, multisectoral strategies in addressing SDH, illustrating their effectiveness with examples from various domains, and underscores the need for further research to develop policies that simultaneously target multiple social and environmental factors.