DETERMINE an EU Consortium for Action on the socio-economic determinants of health Dorothee Heinen Federal Centre for Health Education, BZgA Reducing Health Inequalities, 8-9 May 2009, Berlin
Jan 12, 2016
DETERMINEan EU Consortium for Action on the socio-economic
determinants of health
Dorothee HeinenFederal Centre for Health Education,
BZgA
Reducing Health Inequalities, 8-9 May 2009, Berlin
DETERMINE – who are we?
An EU Consortium for ACTION on Socio-economic Determinants for Health
(2007 – 2010) Contract holder: National Institute for Public Health in Czech
Republic
Coordinator: EuroHealthNet
Dissemination: Federal Center for Health Education, BZgA
Co-funder: EC – DG SANCO (54%)
30 main partner organisations from 21 EU MS
26 collaborating partners (WHO, OECD, 6 Ministries, 7 European networks)
DETERMINE - Our AIMS
1. To take forward existing work on the socio-economic determinants of health (SDH) as an approach to reduce health inequalities (HI) in the EU
2. To make concrete progress towards policy developments that positively influence SDH
To contribute to the current knowledge base on Health in All Policies (HiAP) approaches, including issues such as transferability and cost-effectiveness
To identify innovative approaches using social marketing and public private partnership models and carry out 3 pilot projects
To raise awareness of SDH in other policy sectors and to build the capacity of Consortium members to act upon them
To develop www.health-inequalities.eu as the main EU online resource for SDH and HI.
DETERMINE activities so far:
We explored Social Determinants of Health Inequalities (SDHI) policy examples at national and EU level.
There is no systematic way to address SDHI in countries, but many measures taken in different policy areas contribute to the reduction of HI.
High level cross-governmental strategies on HI stimulate action
Mechanisms to facilitate work on SDHI: Inter-sectoral committees, health/equity impact assessments, consultations across policy sectors,
EU actions (e.g. social OMC on health and long-term care)
DETERMINE activities (cont.)
We are now investigating examples of economic evaluations on policies / actions addressing SDHI
Aim: to find additional economic arguments to act on SDHI
Results representing 12 partner countries
Relatively low levels of economic evaluations being conducted overall
Limited to countries already focusing on SDH and HI
Complexity of economic analysis on SDHI
Evidence Transferability / Cost-effectiveness
DETERMINE activities (cont.)
Innovative Approaches
We selected and supported 3 pilot projects using social marketing and public private partnership models:
Low educated workers in deprived communities (Denmark) Healthy and sustainable housing in a Roma community
(Hungary) addressing determinants of health for homeless (Slovenia)
We support a 4th initiative on social tourism: cooperation with social and private sector (Flanders-BE)
18 public health organisations
40 non-health policy makers
talking to…
Policy makers Consultation Voices from the Field
Health Inequalities in All Policies
Existing cooperation across sectors & awareness of SDH and HI
All policy makers engage with other sectors
Entry points not health or HI per se
HI are understood as focus on low socio-economic status (SES) groups, not as gradient
Equity and equality are sensitive (political) concepts
Social determinants are more recognized if there is clear link with physical factors, such as environment, transport, urban planning
Still heavy emphasis on lifestyle factors & behavior change, rather than underlying structural determinants
What is the role and contribution
of the health sector?
Central leadership & pro-active role
Better clarify the unique contribution and added value of SDH and HI to other strategies (e.g. anti-poverty, social inclusion)
Better ‘listening mode’ regarding other sectors
Ability to identify win-win solutions, build trust, create common language, networking
Move beyond lifestyle issues
To have successful cross-sectoral health equity
strategies…
Data analysed and mae
available in better ways
Awareness Raising to improve
understanding
Capacity building to work with other
sectors
DETERMINE Consortium Members running Awareness Raising /
Capacity Building activities in 2009
For more information:Health Inequalities Portal: www.health-inequalities.eu
Thank your for attention!
www.health-inequalities.eu