Population Health is an approach to health that aims to improve the health of the entire population and to reduce health inequities among population groups. In order to reach these objectives, it looks at and acts upon the broad range of factors and conditions that have a strong influence on our health. The population health approach recognizes that health is a capacity or resource rather than a state, a definition which corresponds more to the notion of being able to pursue one's goals, to acquire skills and education, and to grow. This broader notion of health recognizes the range of social, economic and physical environmental factors that contribute to health. The best articulation of this concept of health is "the capacity of people to adapt to, respond to, or control life's challenges and changes" (Frankish et al., 1996).

Population Health Approach - Underlying Assumptions

• "Health is determined by the complex interactions between individual characteristics, social and economic factors and physical environments"
• "The health of a population is closely linked to the distribution of wealth across the population"
• "Strategies to improve population health must address the entire range of factors that determine health"
• "Important health gains can be achieved by focusing interventions on the health of the entire population (or significant sub-populations) rather than individuals"
• "Improving health is a shared responsibility that requires the development of healthy public policies in areas outside the traditional health system"

Last Updated: 10/23/2008 10:20:29 AM