title: Young parents' understanding and actions related to the determinants of health.
abstract: Broad health determinants are accepted as key contributors to health; however, little is known about the public's understanding of these determinants. We describe the results of a survey of young parents (18-30 years) in Alberta regarding their understanding of determinants of health, and their actions (planned or undertaken) in promoting well-being and health for themselves, their families, and their communities. A telephone survey of young parents (N = 652) was conducted, using both open-ended and fixed response questions. In the open-ended responses, social support networks (46%) and personal health practices (40%) were most often cited as contributors to family well-being and health and as current actions (62% and 54% respectively). Health services were rarely mentioned as a contributor. Most frequently mentioned barriers to well-being and health related to income (36%) and coping skills (34%). Sub-sample differences by gender, age, income, and residence were detected. Fixed response questions indicated that parents rated a broad range of health determinants as "very important."
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, 3rd Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3. linda.reutter@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Reutter
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001364:Awareness; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors