Tackling Health Inequities: Ontario’s Social Determinants of Health Framework

Target Audience

Healthcare leaders, policymakers, and community health organizations.

Reading Time

4 minutes

Why It Matters 

The Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) include factors such as social and economic status, education, neighbourhood and physical environment, employment, access to healthcare, and social support networks. For example, individuals living in poverty may have limited access to nutritious food, safe housing, and quality healthcare, which can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Addressing these social determinants of health is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare. By addressing these factors and creating more equitable opportunities for all individuals, we can work towards building healthier and more inclusive communities.  

Ontario Health’s SDoH framework is structured to address the root causes of health inequities across the province. This framework is crucial for healthcare leaders and practitioners, guiding efforts to improve health outcomes by targeting the social factors that significantly impact well-being. Organizations can foster a more integrated, equitable, and effective healthcare system by adopting these principles. 

Key Takeaways 

Ontario Health’s SDoH Framework consists of eight evidence-based principles that aim to address fundamental social and economic factors driving health disparities. The resource guides for practical implementation are forthcoming. 

Next Steps 

Huron Perth and Area Implementation Committee will be evaluating the endorsement of Ontario Health’s SDoH Framework in the fall and would like feedback on how organizations are active in this area.   Recommendations for organizations to review the eight guiding principles and assess how they can be applied in your organization. Prepare for the upcoming release of resource guides containing practical implementation tips and integrate these principles into your strategic planning and community health initiatives 

Digging Deeper: The Eight Principles 

Ontario Health launched the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Framework in March after extensive research and consultations with 21 Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). The framework is built on eight evidence-based principles: 

1. Adopt a One System Approach

   • Goal: Create a unified, cohesive healthcare system
   • Impact: Improved coordination and reduced fragmentation of services

2. Shift Power Dynamics

   • Goal: Empower marginalized communities 
   • Impact: Greater community involvement in healthcare decision-making 

3. Rebalance the Focus 

   • Goal: Balance treatment with prevention strategies 
   • Impact: Long-term reduction in healthcare costs and improved population health 

4. Listen to What Matters 

   • Goal: Implement patient-centred care and community engagement 
   • Impact: Increased patient satisfaction and more effective interventions 

5. Collect the Right Data

   • Goal: Gather data that accurately reflects social determinants 
   • Impact: More informed decision-making and targeted interventions 

6. Harness Collective Action

   • Goal: Promote collaboration across sectors and communities 
   • Impact: Holistic approach to addressing complex health issues 

7. Mobilize Knowledge

   • Goal: Utilize research and data to inform practices 
   • Impact: Evidence-based interventions and continuous improvement 

8. Remove Funding Barriers  

   • Goal: Identify and eliminate financial obstacles 
   • Impact: Improved access to care and more equitable resource allocation 

Looking Ahead 

Ontario Health is developing comprehensive resource guides for each principle. These guides will include: 

• Actionable examples 

• Practical tools for implementation 
• Best practices from successful initiatives

By embracing this framework, healthcare providers can: 

• Better coordinate and integrate services 

• Enhance health outcomes across diverse populations 

• Significantly reduce health inequities in Ontario 

Stay tuned for updates on the resource guides and start considering how your organization can align with these transformative principles to create a more equitable healthcare landscape in Ontario. 

Further reading

Social Determinants of Health Framework | Ontario Health