Most of us are aware that physical activity, a balanced diet and avoiding smoking are some of the key factors contributing to better health and wellbeing. But what about our job, education, environment and relationships? Can these affect our health too? Research conducted across Europe by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that all these factors can make a significant difference to the quality of health that we enjoy. 

These factors are what we call ‘social determinants of health’, social factors and physical conditions in which people are born, live, learn, play, work and age, all of which impact a wide range of health, function and quality of life outcomes. 

For this reason, the Superintendence of Public Health within the Ministry for Health has prioritised this area through the ESF Project – Establishing a National Platform to Address the Social Determinants of Health as of 2019. As part of this project, the Ministry has embarked on the awareness campaign 'A better me'. 

The campaign expands the traditional definition of healthcare by highlighting behaviours and conditions that influence daily habits and decisions, ranging from what people eat to the community resources to which they have access. More importantly, the campaign recognises individuals as active agents in managing their own healthcare. The campaign promotes small yet decisive steps towards better long-term physical and mental wellbeing. 

More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sahhapubblika​