This comprehensive report emphasises that health outcomes continue to be heavily influenced by social, economic, environmental and political factors. Current progress of the WHO Commission tasked with halving health gaps in a generation has been slow. While some gaps between countries have narrowed, within- country inequalities are widening, driven in part by global crises and conflict. The COVID-19 pandemic for instance exposed and exacerbated existing social and economic health disparities with higher mortality linked to inequality.
The report is a timely reminder of the importance of looking beyond clinical data to understand the full picture of patient and population health. Incorporating non-clinical factors into analysis and system design is critical to understanding population health and addressing inequities.
The article cuts across CHIA competencies including A.2 – health determinants, A.5 – Evidence Informed Practice and F.13 – Digital divide. Claim reading of reports under Category 3 of the recertification guide.
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