Addressing the Social Causes of Illness: International Development Research Centre

Addressing the Social Causes of Illness: International Development Research Centre:
"By Stephen Dale

Why do some people live long lives, punctuated by only short periods of illness, while others die young after struggling with chronically poor health?

That question was posed to an audience at a recent panel discussion hosted by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). International health experts are convinced that they’ve found the answer. In both rich and poor countries, longevity and susceptibility to disease often have less to do with germs and genetics than with the so-called “social determinants of health” — factors such as income, education, occupation, and access to services, good medical treatment, and decent housing. Several exhaustive studies show that scoring well on the checklist of social indicators means one will likely live a long and healthy life, while deprivation is just as sure a predictor of increased illness and fewer years. "/.../