This post is the second half of a two-part series by guest blogger Kate Thomson which explores proposed changes to the National Health Service in England.The first post provides useful background information (particularly for those living outside the UK) on these proposed changes. In this post, Kate explains in greater detail the areas of reform which are of greatest contention. Kate is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at Birmingham City University and is currently researching health reforms in the Russian Federation.

In the first of a two-part series, guest blogger Kate Thomson provides helpful background on the proposed reforms to the NHS, as embodied in the Health and Social Care Bill. Also outlined are the major concerns and debates surrounding the Bill. Kate is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at Birmingham City University and is currently researching health reforms in the Russian Federation.

The notion that health is influenced by society, and the politics governing it, has been around for generations. The contemporary uptake of this idea can be found in the increasingly popular concept of ‘social determinants of health’. But should all social determinants be treated with equal concern? Or are certain determinants more important than others in influencing the health of populations?

In this guest post, Kate Jongbloed presents housing instability as social determinant of HIV/AIDS in Canada. Kate draws on others’ arguments that the absence of a national housing policy is to blame for fueling housing instability, with severe implications for the HIV epidemic.

Taking root in Wisconsin, the union battles that are sweeping across the Midwest are about more than pay, benefits and collective bargaining. Attacks on the rights of workers are also an attack on America’s health.

Inspired by the Spirit Level, two UK graduates cycle tour Sweden to find out what life is like in a more equal country. Through a series of video interviews the adventurists explore the ways in which the UK can learn from the Swedes. Excited about this project, I couldn’t help contacting Steven, recently returned from Sweden, for an interview.

Can collaboration with civil society organizations encourage action on the SDOH at the policy level? Just Health Action (JHA), a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington gives me hope.

Tune in Thursday July 29 at 2 pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time for a webinar presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation titled “A new way to talk about the social determinants of health”. For more information and to register go here.

Now that US health care reform has finally passed, everyone is scrambling to decipher what it actually means for America’s future.  Healthy Policies has been pretty quiet on the HCR front. This is because while the passage of this bill will definitely provide more people with access to health care, the impact HCR will  have [...]

Despite my recent entrance into the world of blogging, I’m already convinced of the immense power that hides quietly behind those seemingly indifferent ‘publish’ buttons.  In partnership with social media tools,  we have at our fingertips the ability to spread ideas and inspire social action like never before. A #SDOH hashtag can help to highlight [...]