title: Social determinants of health and depression: a preliminary investigation from rural China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last several years, research related to social determinants of health (SDH) has begun to resonate in the medical, behavioral, social and political sciences arena. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between SDH and depression, and to provide new evidences and clues for depression control and prevention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This research was a cross-sectional survey executed door to door from October 2006 to April 2008, with a sample of 3,738 individuals aged 18 and older in rural China. The three variables of SDH were socioeconomic status (years of schooling and self-reported economic status of family), social cohesion and negative life events. Demographic variables and self-perceived physical health were taken as potential confounders. The cross-table analysis showed that variations in levels of depression were associated with variations in SDH, and logistic regression analysis confirmed the association even after adjusting for potential confounding variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there were some limitations, the current study provides initial evidence of the importance of SDH in depression. Findings indicate that social inequity and the role of policy action emphasized by SDH should be considered high priorities when addressing the issue of depression. In addition, cell-to-society and pill-to-policy approaches should be encouraged in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yan-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Xiao-Piao
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Chao-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Ming-Chuan
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Zhi-Qing
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult