title: Addressing social determinants of health inequities: what can the state and civil society do?
abstract: In this Health Policy article, we selected and reviewed evidence synthesised by nine knowledge networks established by WHO to support the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. We have indicated the part that national governments and civil society can play in reducing health inequity. Government action can take three forms: (1) as provider or guarantor of human rights and essential services; (2) as facilitator of policy frameworks that provide the basis for equitable health improvement; and (3) as gatherer and monitor of data about their populations in ways that generate health information about mortality and morbidity and data about health equity. We use examples from the knowledge networks to illustrate some of the options governments have in fulfilling this role. Civil society takes many forms: here, we have used examples of community groups and social movements. Governments and civil society can have important positive roles in addressing health inequity if political will exists.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blas
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gilson
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Labonté
authors.forename: Jostacio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lapitan
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muntaner
authors.forename: Piroska
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ostlin
authors.forename: Jennie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Popay
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadana
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schrecker
authors.forename: Ziba
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vaghri
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D012935:Social Justice / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*