Social determinants SEARO

Social determinants of health is a complex issue influencing the health of populations particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. The Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) reiterated WHO’s constitutional commitments to health equity and social justice and reemphasized

the values of health for all. In May 2009 the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA 62.14 entitled, “Reducing Health Inequities through action on the social determinants of health”, urging Member States, the WHO Secretariat and the international community to implement the recommendations of the Commission, highlighting areas such as measurement of health inequities, implementing the social determinants approach in public health programmes, adopting a health-in all policies approach by government, and aligning work on social determinants with the renewal of primary health care.