A strategy for addressing the key determinants of health in the African Region
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Regional Committee for Africa Sixtieth SessionMalabo, Equatorial Guinea, 30 August–3 September 2010: Provisional agenda item 7.1
1. The past few decades have witnessed increased interest in commitment to greater equityin health through addressing the social determinants of health and their consequences. Healthgaps exist in countries of the African Region and are widening in some cases. This documentproposes a strategy for closing this health equity gap through action on the key determinants ofhealth.2. The strategy proposes priority interventions in line with the three overarchingrecommendations of the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, namely: (i)improving the daily conditions of living; (ii) tackling the inequitable distribution of power,money and resources; and, (iii) measuring and understanding the problem and assessing theimpact of action. The interventions are divided into those that are within the immediate remit ofthe ministry of health, and those that come under other sectors or are cross-sectoral.3. The proposed interventions take cognizance of the widening health equity gap within andamong Member States. The strategy places emphasis on addressing the structural causes of illhealthand premature death associated with access, affordability and availability, and addressesissues even beyond the risk factors.4. Member States are called upon to reduce the health equity gap through action on thesocial determinants of health. The prerequisite for success is political commitment to provide anenabling environment for all to contribute to reducing health inequities through action on thesocial determinants of health including measures to improve living conditions, tackling unevendistribution of power, money and resources, and routine monitoring of the health equity gap.5. The WHO Regional Committee for Africa is invited to consider and adopt this strategy
1. The past few decades have witnessed increased interest in commitment to greater equityin health through addressing the social determinants of health and their consequences. Healthgaps exist in countries of the African Region and are widening in some cases. This documentproposes a strategy for closing this health equity gap through action on the key determinants ofhealth.2. The strategy proposes priority interventions in line with the three overarchingrecommendations of the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, namely: (i)improving the daily conditions of living; (ii) tackling the inequitable distribution of power,money and resources; and, (iii) measuring and understanding the problem and assessing theimpact of action. The interventions are divided into those that are within the immediate remit ofthe ministry of health, and those that come under other sectors or are cross-sectoral.3. The proposed interventions take cognizance of the widening health equity gap within andamong Member States. The strategy places emphasis on addressing the structural causes of illhealthand premature death associated with access, affordability and availability, and addressesissues even beyond the risk factors.4. Member States are called upon to reduce the health equity gap through action on thesocial determinants of health. The prerequisite for success is political commitment to provide anenabling environment for all to contribute to reducing health inequities through action on thesocial determinants of health including measures to improve living conditions, tackling unevendistribution of power, money and resources, and routine monitoring of the health equity gap.5. The WHO Regional Committee for Africa is invited to consider and adopt this strategy