In Canada, creating healthier communities means looking beyond doctors’ offices and hospitals. It starts with understanding the bigger picture—the social and environmental factors that shape our health. These are called the social determinants of health (SDOH).

Studies show that up to 50% of our health is influenced by things like income, education, housing, and community connections. By focusing on these areas, we can build a fairer, healthier future for everyone.

At the heart of this work is patient-centered care, guided by compassion, love, and a commitment to helping people transform their health. Let’s explore how we can address these challenges and make a meaningful difference.

What Are Social Determinants of Health?

Social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence our well-being, such as:

• Economic Stability: Jobs, income, and financial security.
• Education: Access to quality schools and lifelong learning.
• Healthcare Access: Affordable and culturally sensitive quality care close to home.
• Neighbourhood Environment: Safe housing, clean water, access to healthy food and transportation.
• Social Connections: Community support and inclusion.

These factors don’t act in isolation, they are interconnected. For instance, a child growing up in poverty may face barriers to education, which limits their job prospects and financial security as adults. This cycle can lead to poorer health outcomes across generations.

For example, people living in low-income areas often face more health challenges, like higher rates of diabetes or heart disease. Tackling these issues requires us to think beyond medical care and focus on the systems and environments where people live, work, and play.   

In Indigenous communities, it means paying attention to community structure, systems and people and how they interconnect and lead.

Why Social Determinants Matter

When we address the root causes of health issues, we create the potential for communities to thrive. Consider the following:

• Reduced Health Inequities: Focusing on the social determinants of health helps close gaps in health outcomes between different groups.
• Improved Community Resilience: Stronger social networks and better environments create healthier, more adaptable populations.
• Economic Benefits: A healthier population reduces healthcare costs and increases workforce productivity.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that health is not just the absence of disease—it’s a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. By addressing the social determinants of health, we move closer to this potential for health for all Canadians.

How to Tackle Social Determinants of Health

1. Health in All Policies (HiAP)

This approach makes health part of every decision, from community planning to education policies.

• Why it matters: Changes in other sectors impact health. For example:
  • Building bike paths and sidewalks reduces chronic diseases like obesity.
  • Sectors who understand each other’s programs and collaborate, create an environment of working together which creates a higher quality of services.
  • Schools that focus on equity improve both education and long-term health outcomes.

HiAP involves collaboration between governments, businesses, and community leaders. By breaking down silos, we can ensure every policy contributes to better health.

2. Focused Programs for Vulnerable Groups

Customized solutions can help populations facing the greatest challenges, such as Indigenous communities or low-income families.

• Examples:
  • Mental health services that respect cultural traditions.
  • Outreach clinics in remote or underserved areas.
  • Job training programs that help people build brighter futures.

Involving the people affected by these programs in their design and implementation ensures that interventions are meaningful and effective. Community voices must be at the centre of decision-making.

3. Invest in Community Strengths

Strong communities create better health for everyone.

• Key ideas:
  • Build more affordable housing.
  • Support local food programs like farmers’ markets and community gardens.
  • Tap into community strengths to build economic growth such as fishing, hunting and tourism.   *This will provide for their community members’ needs as well as create potential for income.
  • Create jobs and help small businesses grow.

Investing in community infrastructure is not just about physical spaces, it’s about creating environments where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead healthy lives.

Digital Equity: Bridging the Gap

Technology has transformed healthcare, making it easier to access services and information. However, not everyone benefits equally. Some groups, like those in rural areas or with low incomes, may struggle to keep up.

Steps to Create Digital Equity

1. Improve Internet Access: Invest in broadband and offer affordable internet options. Reliable internet is critical for telemedicine and online health resources.
2. Design for Everyone: Health apps and tools should be simple to use, support different languages, and meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.
3. Build Trust: Protect people’s data and be knowledgeable about and respect cultural traditions, especially for Indigenous communities.

Digital tools can be powerful, but only when designed with inclusivity and equity in mind.

Real-Life Success Stories

Communities across Canada have made strides in addressing the social determinants of health. These examples show what’s possible when we prioritize health equity:

1. Indigenous Health Programs: Programs like Friendship Centres provide culturally safe spaces for healthcare, education, and social support. These centres strengthen community connections and address systemic barriers.
2. Affordable Housing Initiatives: Cities like Vancouver have invested in affordable housing projects, reducing homelessness and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
3. Urban Agriculture in Toronto: Community gardens and food co-ops give residents access to fresh, affordable food while creating social connections.

These success stories prove that change is achievable with collaboration and commitment.

Challenges to Overcome

While progress is being made, there are still obstacles to creating health equity:

1. Urban vs. Rural Divide

Urban areas often have more resources than rural ones. Bridging this gap requires expandable solutions that connect rural communities to services through technology and partnerships.  

2. Collaboration Is Key

Many groups, governments, organizations, and communities, work in silos. Shared goals, clear communication, and joint accountability are critical for lasting change.

3. Funding and Commitment

Change takes time, resources, and long-term support. Advocacy and grassroots movements are vital to keeping health equity a priority.

Addressing these challenges means staying focused on the ultimate goal: healthier individuals lead to healthier families and ultimately healthier communities and a healthier country!

Your Role in Building a Healthier Future

Imagine a Canada where everyone has the chance to live their healthiest life. It starts with small, meaningful actions:

• Advocate for Policy Change: Write and advocate to local leaders about the importance of affordable housing, access to healthy food and accessible healthcare.
• Support Community Initiatives: Volunteer with programs that promote food security or mental health.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about SDOH and share your knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues.

As healthcare leaders, we have the power to drive change—not just in our organizations, but in the communities we serve. By leading with compassion and focusing on the strengths of others, we can inspire meaningful transformation.

A Call to Action

Addressing social determinants of health is not just about fairness, it’s about collaboration and building resilient, thriving communities for all. Together, we can create a future where every Canadian has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

I am curious!   Comment below….As a community member or healthcare leader, what steps will you take to make a difference?

I am excited to work together to inspire action and create a better tomorrow.