Social Determinants of Health, 2nd Edition

Social Determinants of Health, 2nd Edition gives an authoritative overview of the social and economic factors which are known to be the most powerful determinants of population health in modern societies. Written by acknowledged experts in each field, it provides accessible summaries of the scientific justification for isolating different aspects of social and economic life as the primary determinants of a population's health. Thenew edition takes account of the most recent research and also includes additional chapters on ethnicity and health, sexual behaviours, the elderly, housing and neighbourhoods. Recognitionof the power of socioeconomic factors as determinants of health came initially from research on health inequalities. This has led to a view of health as not simply about individual behaviour or exposure to risk, but how the socially and economically structured way of life of a population shapes its health. Thus exercise and accidents are as much about a society's transport system as about individual decisions; and the nation's diet involves agriculture, food manufacture, retailing, andpersonal incomes as much as individual choice. But a major new element in the picture we have developed is the importance of the social, or psycho-social, environment to health. For example, health in theworkplace for most employees - certainly for office workers - is less a matter of exposure to physical health hazards as of the social environment, of how supportive it is, whether people have control over their work, whether their jobs are secure. A similar picture emerges in other areas ranging from the health importance of the emotional environment in early childhood to the need for more socially cohesive communities. Social Determinants of Health should beread by those interested in the wellbeing of modern societies. It is a must for public health professionals, for health promotion specialists, and for people working in the many fields of public policy which wenow know make such an important contribution to health.

Winner of Winner of First Prize in the Public Health category of the BMA Medical Book Competition 2006.

“This book is a "must read" for all members of parliament, local councillors etc, as an aide in governance, for equity to be achieved, and inequalities to be addressed. More projects across local and international borders are needed to help tackle the "isms" (ie racism, ageism, sexism etc) as they determine health. It is a privilege to read this book. So many talents have contributed to every chapter, congratulations to them all. It's certainly one of the best books around. A mustread for all students of public health policy and health economics, at all levels.”

From reviews of the previous editionMarmot and Wilkinson have made a timely addition to the maturing field of health and health policy research. This volume should be relevant to anyone interested in health determinants, given its clear organization and concise writing.' Social Science & MedicineIt is a dense, fascinating and wide-ranging collection... an excellent primer for those who wish to engage in the debate about how this policy can be taken forward to make a real difference to the lives of the people whose deprivations are analyses in its pages.' Health MattersThe book surverys the effects of social inequality on health and offers a forum in which these can be linked with more obvious influences.' Times Higher Education SupplementAt the core of Social Determinants of Health is the ground breaking Whitehall study... it found that wealth and status are the crucial factors in health and longevity.' The Guardian

Michael Marmot is a Director, International Institute for Society and Health; Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. Richard Wilkinson is in the Department of Social Epidemiology, University of Nottingham Medical School; visiting Professor Institute forSociety and Health, University College London, UK.

Social Determinants of Health, 2nd Edition gives an authoritative overview of the social and economic factors which are known to be the most powerful determinants of population health in modern societies. Written by acknowledged experts in each field, it provides accessible summaries of the scientific justification for isolating different aspects of social and economic life as the primary determinants of a population's health. The new edition takes account of the most recent research and also includes additional chapters on ethnicity and health, sexual behaviours, the elderly, housing and neighbourhoods. Recognition of the power of socioeconomic factors as determinants of health came initially from research on health inequalities. This has led to a view of health as not simply about individual behaviour or exposure to risk, but how the socially and economically structured way of life of a population shapes its health. Thus exercise and accidents are as much about a society's transport system as about individual decisions; and the nation's diet involves agriculture, food manufacture, retailing, and personal incomes as much as individual choice. But a major new element in the picture we have developed is the importance of the social, or psycho-social, environment to health. For example, health in the workplace for most employees - certainly for office workers - is less a matter of exposure to physical health hazards as of the social environment, of how supportive it is, whether people have control over their work, whether their jobs are secure. A similar picture emerges in other areas ranging from the health importance of the emotional environment in early childhood to the need for more socially cohesive communities. Social Determinants of Health should be read by those interested in the wellbeing of modern societies. It is a must for public health professionals, for health promotion specialists, and for people working in the many fields of public policy which we now know make such an important contribution to health.

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