Thirty years ago, the Lalonde report was published in Canada.  This report presented evidence of key factors that determine health status.  The report went on to say that to improve the health of Canadians we need to
improve access to the key factors --like income, education, and community supports.  The evidence continues to mount about how these things help make us healthy.  They are called the determinants of health. These are the elements that determine our own health, the health of our loved ones and the health of our community.

Health Canada lists eleven determinants of health - income and social status; social support networks; education and literacy; employment and working conditions; physical and social environments; biology and genetic endowment; personal health practices and coping skills; healthy child development; health services; gender; and culture. 

The Board of Health for the Peterborough County-City Health Unit endorses this concept and believes that social conditions influence the health of our community.
 

Income impacts health Poverty affects our health - especially our kids.  Regular income can mean good nutrition and a healthy place to live.  It can help fight disease and early death.  And a regular income helps us feel part of a strong community. Community promotes health People who feel lonely and isolated often find they have health problems like stress, pain or illness.  Being part of a community promotes good health and gives us the support we need to cope with life. Employment determines health Our health is precious. And unemployment, or low-paying, stressful jobs can actually bring on illness and injury.  A good job can promote better health, self-esteem and social contacts.  With a good job, we feel we belong. Education improves health Parents often need help, for their health and their kids.  They need to belong to a community that cares about their future - a community that promotes life-long learning regardless of income, language or disability.  Education can mean better health and a stronger community. Equity enhances health Equality and cultural respect enrich our lives in many ways - jobs, housing, even our health.  When we are treated fairly it's easier to find resources and get support.  Belonging helps us cope with illness, racism and hopelessness. Environment influences health Everyone has the right to clean air, clean water and clean earth.  Without them, we face chronic disease and other problems, such as brith defects.  Belonging to a clean community adds to our health and to the community we live in.