Contextual factors in public health

This course approaches health as a social phenomenon resulting from the interaction between individuals, populations and their environments. It introduces the main social, economic, demographic, environmental and psychosocial determinants of health and examines their contribution to social inequalities in health.

Particular attention is given to the concepts of health inequalities and health equity, the social gradient in health, and the mechanisms through which living conditions and social contexts influence mortality, morbidity, well-being and the use of health services.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• identify the main contextual factors and social determinants of health;
• distinguish between health differences, inequalities and inequities;
• analyse the influence of socioeconomic, demographic, environmental and psychosocial factors on health;
• understand key mechanisms contributing to the production and reproduction of social inequalities in health;
• apply a critical and equity-oriented perspective to public health issues.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

To be discussed with your coordinator.. 

Lectures, public health examples and data, discussions, and critical analysis of selected cases.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

Braveman, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health: Coming of age. Annual Review of Public Health, 32, 381–398. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031210-101218

Dahlgren, G., & Whitehead, M. (1991). Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health: Background document to WHO—Strategy paper for Europe. Institute for Futures Studies.

Hart, J. T. (1971). The inverse care law. The Lancet, 1(7696), 405–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(71)92410-X

Marmot, M. (2020). Health equity in England: The Marmot review 10 years on. BMJ, 368, m693. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m693

Marmot, M., Allen, J., Boyce, T., Goldblatt, P., & Morrison, J. (2020). Health equity in England: The Marmot review 10 years on. Institute of Health Equity.

Solar, O., & Irwin, A. (2010). A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health: Social determinants of health discussion paper 2 (Policy and practice). World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2025). World report on social determinants of health equity. World Health Organization.

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Informations complémentaires

The course covers social determinants of health and explanatory models of health inequalities; the social gradient in health; poverty and socioeconomic position; gender, age and the life-course perspective; physical and social environments; populations in situations of vulnerability; psychosocial factors and mental health; and inequalities in access to and use of health services.

Contacts

Sandra TRICAS-SAURAS

sandra.tricas-sauras@ulb.be

Campus

Erasme

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen oral

Examen oral

• Question ouverte à développement long

Oral exam

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais