Introduction

Promoting public health in the 21st century is a multidisciplinary endeavor ranging from the surveillance of health and disease in populations, through to the provision of health advice and information. It occurs at all levels, from the actions taken by individuals through to those taken by national and international agencies. It also takes place in many different settings: for example, in homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals, youth centers, nightclubs, and on the street. There is widespread agreement on the significance of health, and improving the health of populations continues to be a major concern at local, national and international levels. National surveys in the UK and more globally have demonstrated that people are willing to spend more money on health services and that they rate good health as centrally important in living a full and satisfying life. There is now a heightened awareness of the need to promote public health.

But people's behavior is influenced by circumstances and events, friends and family, education, job prospects, income, housing, and environment. In this free course, Factors that influence health: An introduction, you will look at how these factors, these wider social determinants, work together to influence our health for good or ill.