NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, August 19, 2013

One of the most important proclamations made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is that the social environment or social conditions in which people live and work has a major impact on their health. These include living and working conditions, education and nutrition. To a large extent, they determine an individual’s level of exposure to disease, health impacting behaviours, levels of immunity and his or her capacity to engage in health-promoting activities. Essentially, they are major determinants of health outcomes. While health systems are responsible for promoting health outcomes, the jurisdiction of the typical ministry of health does not include the management of these factors. Instead, ministries of education, labour, housing, public works, water affairs and so on, do so. Within the African context, and considering its prevailing socioeconomic and environmental dispensation, a deeper appreciation of this assertion opens up a fresh perspective on strategies to improve health outcomes while promoting sustainability of its health systems.