Finding an Easier Way to Explain the Social Determinants of Health

'The social determinants of health'

Its a ten dollar phrase that many of us working in AIDS advocacy have become increasingly accustomed to hearing in recent years.  In many ways, this reflects the welcomed trend of social science and public health researchers deepening their understanding of what many community health advocates have known intuitively for some time: a person's environment and social context affect their health. 

In the context of HIV, this means where a person lives and works, and who they are, can impact their risk for HIV infection or the treatment outcomes of those already living with HIV/AIDS.  We're learning more and more about how people are interconnected with their environment and its becoming increasingly necessary to educate the public and policy makers about the importance of relfecting this increased understanding in how we address health in our communities.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently developed materials aimed at helping all of us do just that.  Check out this great guide, slides, and webinar recording reporting on the results of in-depth research into effective messages on the social determinants of health.