Education as a social determinant of health

Eating healthy, getting regular medical check-ups, exercising and sleeping sufficiently are all behaviors well-known to influence health quality. However, studies suggest one unexpected factor that can predict how long people will live: education. Education gives people the tools they need to lead fulfilling lives, thrive personally, and contribute to their communities. In addition, education makes it more likely a person can access quality healthcare, find employment that pays a living wage, and live in a safe, non-polluted environment — all factors that affect well-being. In fact, people who live in lower socioeconomic conditions are at greater risk for a host of health issues, including higher rates of disease, mental illness, and premature death, according to Healthy People 2020. Access to quality education early in life, high school graduation, and a college education can all provide opportunities for people to shift their socioeconomic status, reducing the likelihood of these negative health outcomes in return. Because of this, understanding how education impacts the health of communities is vital for public health professionals fighting to end health inequity. (author abstract)