Why is social wellbeing a priority?

Your community told us that the life circumstances many people face make it hard for them to manage their health. The flood in 2022, and the cost of housing, are two examples of how some people are doing it tough.

Our health isn’t only shaped by our personal choices or medical treatment. The environment we live in and our life circumstances are just as important. For example, someone with a low income might skip health appointments or buy cheaper, less healthy food. Or a person living in an area with air pollution may develop breathing problems. If we want a healthier community, we need to improve the conditions in which people live, learn, work, and grow, not just the healthcare they receive. These life factors are sometimes called the social determinants of health, and they include things like:

1. Where you live
2. Your employment
3. The money you have
4. The education you received
5. Your connection to family and community
6. Your ability to access healthcare services.

According to the World Health Organisation, the social determinants of health account for between 30–55% of a person's health outcomes. That means they are just as important as the healthcare services that people use.