HLTA02H3 Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Textbook Notes
Document Summary
The forces that shape health and illness are known as determinants of health. The state of knowledge surrounding determinants of health is continually evolving as researchers increasingly engage with various understandings of what forces shape health and illness. Health status refers to determinants of health such as: health conditions, human function, and deaths. Traditionally, the overall health of a population has been measured through key indicators of health status. These include: life expectancy, mortality rates, and causes of death. The canadian institute for health information (cihi) distinguishes between health status and non-medical determinants of health. The latter (non-medical determinants) can also be described as social determinants of health and include: health behaviours, living and working conditions, personal resources, and environmental factors. More commonly, specific social determinants of health include: income, employment, education, child care, and housing. Each of the social determinants of health influences health status in canada. The overall health of a population may be determined through several indicators.
