The importance of addressing social determinants of health at the local level: the case for social capital

Authors:
HUNTER Bradley D., NEIGER Brad, WEST Joshua
Journal article citation:
Health and Social Care in the Community, 19(5), September 2011, pp.522-530.
Publisher:
Wiley

Although social determinants are important in public health practice, many solutions for tackling them are outside the scope of local health professionals. This review examined the literature to find possible moderating variables which could buffer the effects of the social determinants of health, allowing them to be addressed within local health departments. Searches where conducted on health databases and the Internet for articles published between 1975 and 2010, and aimed to identify articles relating to social determinants of health, social capital and effective approaches for addressing both at the level of the local health department. The search uncovered 36 articles which were appropriate for inclusion in the review. In discussing the findings, the review makes the case for focusing on social capital interventions to mitigate health problems associated with social determinants. Instances of successful interventions are presented to help in developing specific solutions for addressing social determinants at the local level.

Subject terms:
intervention, public health, social capital, socioeconomic groups, environmental factors, health care;
Content type:
research review
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1365-2524
ISSN print:
0966-0410

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