To address the social determinants of health and to improve health equity
EuroHealthNet, in close collaboration with the International Union on Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), identified six priority areas to build capacity to address the SDH and to improve health equity. 2009
Available online PDF [15p.] at: http://www.health-inequalities.eu/pdf.php?id=68410efc3dbc18f8b1a0ea0e5e1fa4ef
“….Achieving equal opportunities for health and strong health outcomes for everyone in society, and leveling up the health gradient is an ambitious and complex goal, which requires knowledge and action in a wide range of areas. This goal cannot be achieved by the health sector alone, but is a shared responsibility across sectors and involves partnership working. Addressing the SDH to improve health equity therefore requires building capacities at the organisational level and across government.
Capacity Building has been defined as ‘an improvement in the ability of public sector organisations, either singly or in cooperation with other organisations, to perform appropriate tasks.’7 Another definition refers to capacity building as ‘an approach to development that ... gives people and organisations a greater ability to address new challenges, whatever those challenges may be.’8
These definitions indicate that capacity building goes beyond simply training or providing technical assistance. It also involves assisting people to gain the knowledge and experience that is needed to solve problems, implement change, build effective actions and reach sustainability
This interactive guidance document includes a range of suggestions for actions that can be taken to facilitate efforts to address the social determinants of health (SDH) and to improve health equity. The document also provides resources that can be applied to support these actions. …”
This interactive document contains the following sections:
Introduction - Capacity Building in the context of DETERMINE
Six priority areas of Capacity Building & Awareness Raising
Develop the information and evidence base
Taking action on the SDH depends on the availability and accessibility of data that provides a clear understanding of the existing situation. Information is also needed about the effectiveness of policies and interventions to address the problem. While the link between social economic status and other indicators of disadvantage and health status has been clearly established, the quantity and quality of information available and accessible to policy makers and practitioners varies.
Awareness Raising and Advocacy
Generating the willingness and the ability to act on the social determinants of health rests on an ongoing process of informing and sensitising key stakeholders and decision makers in effective ways. This requires clear and effective communication tools and strong arguments about the importance of addressing the SDH and reducing health inequalities.
Organisational development
This refers to processes that ensure that the policies, structures, procedures and practices of an organisation are in place to address the SDH and that change is managed effectively. Building the capacity of an organisation to address the SDH may involve interventions in several areas of organisational functioning, such as strategic planning, management change, improving policies, procedures and resources, or adapting the organisational culture.
Skills development
Success in improving health equity depends on the commitment and abilities of a wide range of people at the organisational, local, regional and national level. It is important to build a cadre of trained experts that are able not only to adopt and implement an SDH approach but also to develop new techniques and strategies.
Partnership development and Leadership
This means improving the possibility of people or organisations to collaborate. Developing capacities to work with other sectors requires strong leadership from the health sector. Effective partnerships are characterised by related or shared goals and clear working relationships including good communication, mutual planning, and sustained outcomes.
Policy development
Addressing the SDH and improving health equity depends on strong mandates for action at the highest political levels, to stimulate the implementation of effective and efficient structures and mechanisms to achieve joint policy goals. This requires assessing what cross-sectoral policies and practices are in place and influencing policy makers to develop or improve these.
Overview of actions
EuroHealthNet www.eurohealthnet.eu - www.health-inequalities.eu - - www.equitychannel.net - - www.health-gradient.eu
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