The Commission on Social Determinants of Health was created in 2005 by the World Health Organization. Its function is to provide support for countries as well as global health partners in managing social determinants that cause health inequities. The Commission is expected to attract attention of governmental bodies and social institutions to the issue of social determinants of health. The reports submitted by the Commission include its solutions to some health problems on the whole and among the vulnerable population groups in particular. This paper analyses the focus of the Commission on the social determinants of health and its influence on the global health policy.
Focus of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health
As it was already mentioned, the Commission is focused on the social determinants of health (“Closing the gap in a generation,” 2008). Social justice is one of the major health determinants. Life conditions in different countries lead to discrepancies in access to healthcare facilities thus creating “dramatic differences in health that are closely linked with degrees of social disadvantage” (“Closing the gap in a generation,” 2008, p. 3). The main recommendations provided by the commission include the improvement of daily living conditions, managing the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources, and, finally, measurement and understanding of the problem as well as the influence of action.
Impact of the Commission on the Global Health Policy
The Commission on Social Determinants of Health directly influences the global health policy. The issue of health inequity discovered by the commission demands active interventions aimed at the reduction of the mentioned inequity. As a rule, health inequities are caused by unequal living conditions, which are the result of inefficient social care policies and programs. The report submitted by the Commission provides the possible causes and solutions for this problem.
Certainly, the changes cannot be implemented fast. Nevertheless, every government has an opportunity to develop policies that improve social, economic, and political situation in the country. This complex of actions is globally accepted as an opportunity to reduce health inequalities. Another aspect that influences global health policies is inequality in conditions of daily leaving (“Closing the gap in a generation,” 2008).
Thus, there are regions with poor access to vital resources such as water, which also has a negative impact on health condition of population. Finally, economic growth and social policies are powerful drivers defined by the Commission (“Closing the gap in a generation,” 2008). Therefore, the countries are stimulated to develop strategies for economic growth thus approaching better health of the population.
Marmot and Allen (2014) also speak about social determinants of health inequity. They support the idea that the reduction of socio-economic and other inequalities is needed to contribute to the shortening of health inequalities. The authors support the position of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health about the close relation of social and other inequalities on people’s health.
Conclusion
On the whole, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health has influenced the development of the global health policies. The definition of factors provided in the report provides a plan of actions necessary to improve health of the humanity. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate health inequalities and prevent their further development through the improvement of living conditions, careful management of resources, and assessment of the influence these actions have on health condition of population.
References
Closing the gap in a generation. (2008). Web.
Marmot, M., & Allen, J. J. (2014). Social determinants of health equity. American Journal of Public Health, 104(S4), 1-3.