Closing the Gap: A Human Rights Approach Towards Social Determinants of Health

15 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2016 Last revised: 22 Jul 2017

See all articles by Brigit Toebes

Brigit Toebes

University of Groningen - Faculty of Law; University of Groningen

Karien Stronks

University of Amsterdam - Department of Public Health

Date Written: March 17, 2016

Abstract

Social determinants of health are major contributors to population health as well as health inequalities. The public perception that health inequalities that arise from these social determinants are unjust seems to be widespread across societies. Nevertheless, there is also scepticism about the progress in the implementation of actual policies to reduce health inequalities. Scholars, activists and policy makers from various disciplinary backgrounds increasingly stress the value of the human rights approach to support policies addressing health inequalities, and to hold actors in policies to address social determinants accountable for these inequalities. The ‘right to health’, in conjunction with the other health-related human rights, captures most elements of social determinants of health, and makes clear appeals to the governmental authorities at all levels to take action when social injustices occur. Existing judicial and non-judicial cases show us how human rights can be instrumental in addressing inequalities in health.

Keywords: public health, health inequalities, social determinants of health, human rights, right to health, European context, multidisciplinary scholarship

Suggested Citation

Toebes, Brigit and Toebes, Brigit and Stronks, Karien, Closing the Gap: A Human Rights Approach Towards Social Determinants of Health (March 17, 2016). European Journal of Health Law, Vol. 23, 2016, University of Groningen Faculty of Law Research Paper 2016-14, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2749176

Brigit Toebes (Contact Author)

University of Groningen - Faculty of Law ( email )

9700 AH Groningen
Netherlands

University of Groningen ( email )

Karien Stronks

University of Amsterdam - Department of Public Health ( email )

PO-box 22660
1100 DD
Amsterdam
Netherlands

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
38
Abstract Views
548
PlumX Metrics