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Cited by 2,387Public Health and Social InequalitiesPublic Health Policies and EducationHealth disparities and outcomes

Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health

Reading, Richard·2009·Child: Care, Health and Development
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2008.00935_10.x
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Abstract

. Marmot M., Friel S., Bell R., Houweling T. A. J. & Taylor S. on behalf of ( 2008 ) , 372 , 1661 – 1669 . DOI: 10.1016/S0140‐6736(08)61690‐6 . The Commission on Social Determinants of Health, created to marshal the evidence on what can be done to promote health equity and to foster a global movement to achieve it, is a global collaboration of policymakers, researchers and civil society, led by commissioners with a unique blend of political, academic and advocacy experience. The focus of attention is on countries at all levels of income and development. The commission launched its final report on 28 August 2008. This paper summarizes the key findings and recommendations; the full list is in the final report. The overarching recommendations are: Improve daily living conditions Improve the well‐being of girls and women and the circumstances in which their children are born, put major emphasis on early child development and education for girls and boys, improve living and working conditions and create social protection policy supportive of all, and create conditions for a flourishing older life. Policies to achieve these goals will involve civil society, governments and global institutions. Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money and resources To address health inequities and inequitable conditions of daily living, it is necessary to address inequities – such as those between men and women – in the way society is organized. A strong, committed, capable and adequately financed public sector is needed. To achieve that requires more than strengthened government – it requires strengthened governance: legitimacy, space and support for civil society, for an accountable private sector, and for people across society to agree public interests and reinvest in the value of collective action. In a globalized world, the need for governance dedicated to equity applies equally from the community level to global institutions. Measure and understand the problem and assess the results of action Acknowledging that there is a problem and ensuring that health inequity is measured – within countries and globally – are essential for action. National governments and international organizations, supported by World Health Organization, should set up national and global health‐equity surveillance systems for routine monitoring of health inequity and the social determinants of health and should asses the health‐equity impact of policy and action. Creating the organizational space and capacity to act effectively on health inequity requires investment in training of policymakers and health practitioners, public understanding of social determinants of health, and a stronger focus on social determinants in public health research.

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  • In western Ethiopia, adequate dietary diversity during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of LGA infants.

    “In western Ethiopia, adequate dietary diversity during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of LGA infants, but factors such as wealth index, maternal care, women’s occupation, household food insecurity, gestational age, and stable meal frequency influence dietary diversity.”

    From Medical Nutrition Therapy for Women with Gestational Diabetes: Current Practice and Future Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [171]

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Authors
Reading, R.
Corresponding author
Reading, Richard
Venue
Child: Care, Health and Development
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-02-03
Volume
35
Issue
2
Pages
285-286
ISSN
  • 0305-1862 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2214
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2214.2008.00935_10.x
OpenAlex
W1548975717
Cited by
2,387
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 124 · 2023: 178 · 2022: 176 · 2021: 202 · 2020: 215 · 2019: 175 · 2018: 148 · 2017: 141 · 2016: 121 · 2015: 134 · 2014: 114 · 2013: 193 · 2012: 140
FWCI
135.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Child Care Health and Development (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Public Health and Social Inequalities
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Public Health Policies and Education
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
health equity, health disparities, Commission on Social Determinants of Health, global health governance, gender inequity, early childhood development, education for girls, social protection, working conditions, civil society, global health institutions

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