The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) refer to the social, economic, and environmental conditions that influence a person’s health outcomes.
These include factors such as education, income, employment, housing, access to healthcare, social support networks, and cultural influences. They are not just background issues — they play a critical role in shaping health and wellbeing, often more significantly than medical care alone.
Someone living in secure housing, with stable employment and access to quality education and nutritious food, is more likely to enjoy good health than someone who lacks these. Poor social conditions can lead to chronic stress, limited access to healthcare, and unhealthy behaviours, contributing to higher rates of illness and reduced life expectancy, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
In Australia, federal, state, and local governments acknowledge the importance of SDOH and implement a range of strategies to improve them. This includes funding for public housing, education and early childhood programs, employment services, mental health initiatives, and support for First Nations communities.
Policies such as the Closing the Gap strategy aim to reduce health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. This includes addressing issues such as overcrowded housing, limited access to culturally appropriate health services, and intergenerational trauma.
The Australian Government also funds the National Preventive Health Strategy, which targets lifestyle and environmental factors, and works across sectors to promote healthier living conditions. Initiatives to improve access to healthy food in remote communities, anti-smoking campaigns, and support for mental health services all form part of this multi-pronged approach.
Partnerships between health, education, and welfare services aim to create more integrated support systems. Local councils play a key role in delivering services tailored to community needs, from transport infrastructure to recreational spaces and social programs.
Improving the social determinants of health is not a quick fix — it requires long-term commitment and collaboration across sectors. But by addressing these root causes, governments can promote equity, reduce the burden of disease, and support healthier, more resilient communities across Australia.