P4. Social Determinants of Health

Research groups participating in this programme focus their interest on generating cooperative research of excellence in relation to all those aspects that are socially determined and relevant for population health. To that end, a broad perspective of the role of social determinants in health is adopted from a multidisciplinary approach. This ranges from individual characteristics, such as social class or gender, to aspects of the environment, such as neighbourhoods or cities; working conditions; and the social environment. Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods are also used in the programme to meet research objectives. Furthermore, from a strictly epidemiological viewpoint, the programme develops studies ranging from individual-based designs to ecological studies. Finally, the interest of the programme includes the "social" production of risk factors, such as lifestyles, the environment, working conditions, immigration and social exclusion, etc., health results, such as morbidity, mortality, disability or dependency, as well as social participation and evaluation of the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of health interventions, services and policies.

Strategic Objectives

• Identify and analyse all those socially determined and relevant aspects for population health.
• Favour the transfer of knowledge to the National Health System for designing and implementing health policies.
• Promote cooperative research of excellence between the programme groups, the collaboration between them and researchers, and enhance internationalization of activities.
• Incorporate a new group into the programme at the end of 2015 to strengthen research activities by: an official call for proposals, public tender, ISCIII.

Programme's Main Lines of Research

• Effect of social determinants on health.
• Health Inequality according to social class, gender, geographical variables, and the environment.
• Specific health problems relevant to public health and with social determinants and mechanisms, such as HIV, gender-based violence, sexual health, mental health, addictions, cancer or cardiovascular diseases, playing a key role.
• The health of specific population groups, such as immigrant communities, socially excluded groups, women’s health issues, and issues related to aging, adolescence and puberty, or childhood.
• The development and evaluation of public health programmes and policies.
• Access to and quality of health services and the participation of patients and citizens.
• The development of useful theoretical frameworks for social determinants, of suitable research methodologies, and modelling of the complex interaction between different social and environmental factors.

Strategic Subprogrammes

1. Inequality according to Social Class, Gender, the Environment and Geographical Area

The general objectives are to help identify, measure, evaluate, and assess the impact that the socioeconomic status and/or gender of individuals, as well as the physical and social environment, or the geographical area, have on health.

2. Development and Evaluation of Public Health Programmes and Policies

The general objectives are to promote research on public health programmes and policies, carrying out studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.

3. Access and Quality of Health Services and the Participation of Patients and Citizens

The general objectives are to conduct additional research on the relationship between social determinants and healthcare, and to further the participation of patients and citizens in health- and healthcare-related aspects.

Attached Groups

See spanish website for furher information about research groups participating in this program.

Attached groups (Spanish)