Why the wider determinants of health are important in older age
Wider determinants, also known as social determinants, are a diverse range of social, economic and environmental factors that impact on people’s health. Such factors are influenced by the local, national and international distribution of power and resources which shape the conditions of daily life. They determine the extent to which different individuals have the physical, social and personal resources to identify and achieve goals, meet their needs and deal with changes to their circumstances.
Understanding local inequalities in health perception
Many wider determinants of health are common across all life course stages. Information on the impact of how many of these wider determinants impact on the perception of health by Bedford Borough residents can be found on the Inequalities in Health Perception page. This used analysis of the 2021 Census to identify inequalities based on age and sex, deprivation, ethnicity, living situation, economic and employment status, disability and caring responsibilities.