Taking social determinants of health seriously: a health services perspective.

ABSTRACT

This article seeks to outline why health systems and health services should play a more active role in addressing the social determinants of population health. Working from the premise that the supposed conflict between efficiency and equity is a bogus one and citing the example of potentially avoidable hospitalizations, the article suggests that there are pragmatic reasons for health services to engage in interventions that are informed by social determinants and health equity orientation.