scholarly journals A theory of public wellbeing

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
Policy Proposals

Abstract Background Wellbeing is seen as a matter of concern for governments and public policy. However, current theories on wellbeing are not well placed to inform this concern, because they fail to take account of and explain evidence on social determinants of mental health. Discussion This article proposes a new theory of public wellbeing which does takes account of such evidence, by explaining the role of stress within three basic functions of social cognition. Building on this description, the article then proposes that wellbeing consists in seven basic abilities, which are always developed and exercised (or not) through constant processes of interaction between individual and environment. The article explains why contemporary theories on wellbeing are poorly placed to inform public policy for wellbeing. It also positions the proposed theory in relation to evidence on social determinants of health (SDH) and the associated public policy agenda. It is argued the proposed theory of wellbeing extends on and challenges the SDH policy agenda in relation to the normative target of policy proposals, factors identified as determinants, impacts of determinants on populations, and proposals for political and social change. Conclusion Improved theory on public wellbeing can inform policy for wellbeing because it explains the contingent nature of wellbeing within contemporary social environments, and extends understanding of social determinants of wellbeing.

scholarly journals Income-related inequalities in mental health in Sweden and the role of social determinants

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fritzell ◽  
H Källberg ◽  
H Busch ◽  
P Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Concentration Index ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Income Inequalities ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

Abstract Background Mental health is an increasing concern in all European countries as the burden of mental disorders continue to grow and cause substantial suffering and costs to societies. Furthermore, research shows there are social inequalities in the distribution of mental illness. This study aims to increase knowledge on income-related inequalities in mental health in Sweden and the role of social determinants. Methods Drawing on a national survey (Health on Equal Terms) representative of the population aged 16-84, years 2010-2015 (n = 57107) we quantify the income-related inequality in mental health and estimate the contribution of social determinants of the inequality. Poor mental health is defined as a value of at least 3, based on the general health questionnaire (GHQ)-12. Income is measured as yearly disposable income. Income related inequalities in mental health are quantified by the concentration index and decomposed using the Wagstaff-type decomposition analysis. Results Preliminary results show that the income inequalities in mental health, as measured by the overall concentration index in mental health was - 0,16 (95% CI -0.17 to -0.15), indicating income inequalities to the disadvantage of those less affluent. The determinants that contributed most to the inequalities were employment, financial strain and experiencing harassment. Together they explained 43 % of the income inequalities in mental health. Generally, socio-economic factors had highest importance for the inequalities found, while demographic factors and psychosocial factors were of smaller importance. Conclusions The income related inequalities in mental health are substantial in Sweden. Recently, a national target of reducing the preventable inequalities in health within a generation was adopted. To improve surveillance of inequalities and inform policy we need to closely follow the development of inequalities in mental health and to disentangle the contribution of specific social determinants. Key messages Income-related inequalities in mental health in Sweden are considerable. Socio-economic factors had highest importance for the inequalities found, while demographic factors and psychosocial factors were of smaller importance.

scholarly journals How Did Youth Mental Health Make It Onto Australia’s 2011 Federal Policy Agenda?

SAGE Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401668085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey A. Whiteford ◽  
Carla Meurk ◽  
Georgia Carstensen ◽  
Wayne Hall ◽  
Peter Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Federal Budget ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Quantitative Evidence

The 2011 Australian federal budget included a large investment in youth mental health and early intervention services. In this article, we focus on the critical role of agenda setting in the preceding 4 years to examine how and why these services were given such a high priority at this time. We undertook a systematic review of relevant literature, including parliamentary Hansard transcripts from the House of Representatives and Senate, the final reports of all available parliamentary committees, government policy documents, other pertinent documents held by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging, and media reports from five widely circulated Australian publications/news outlets. We used Kingdon’s multiple streams framework to structure analysis. We highlight three factors that were influential in getting youth mental health issues onto the policy agenda: (a) the strategic use of quantitative evidence to create a publicly visible “problem,” (b) the marshalling of the “public” to create pressure on government, and (c) the role of serendipity. Overall, we found the decision to prioritize youth mental health resulted from a combination of advocacy for a well-articulated policy solution by high-profile, influential policy entrepreneurs, and political pressure caused by an up swell of national support for mental health reform. Our findings highlight the socio-political factors that influence agenda setting and health policy formulation. They raise important ethical and strategic issues in utilizing research evidence to change policy.

scholarly journals Gender Equality and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Labour Market, Family Relationships and Public Policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 270-273
Author(s):  
Paola Profeta
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
Economic Agents ◽  
Changing Role

AbstractDuring the recovery, investing in gender equality is essential: it will lead directly to higher GDP and indirectly to increase human capital and promote a sustainable society.Or Women as economic agents may themselves have an impact on policies: the changing role of women in families and societies and their greater representation in decision making positions contribute to focusing and redirecting the policy agenda toward items that ultimately reduce gender gaps.

“I was 15 when I started doing drugs with my dad”: Victimization, Social Determinants of Health, and Criminogenic Risk Among Women Opioid Intervention Court Participants

2022 ◽  
pp. 088626052110520
Author(s):  
Diane S. Morse ◽  
Catherine Cerulli ◽  
Melissa Hordes ◽  
Nabila El-Bassel ◽  
Jacob Bleasdale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Antisocial Behaviors ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
The Impact

The presence and severity of childhood and adult victimization increase the likelihood of substance use disorder (SUD), crimes, antisocial behaviors, arrests, convictions, and medical and psychiatric disorders among women more than men. These problems are compounded by the impact of social determinants of health (SDH) challenges, which include predisposition to the understudied, dramatic increase in opioid dependence among women. This study examined victimization, related SDH challenges, gender-based criminogenic risk factors for female participants, and public health opportunities to address these problems. We recruited women from the first national Opioid Intervention Court, a fast-track SUD treatment response to rapidly increasing overdose deaths. We present a consensual qualitative research analysis of 24 women Opioid Intervention Court participants (among 31 interviewed) who reported childhood, adolescent, and/or adult victimization experiences in the context of substance use and recovery, mental health symptoms, heath behaviors, and justice-involved trajectories. We iteratively established codes and overarching themes. Six primary themes emerged: child or adolescent abuse as triggers for drug use; impact of combined child or adolescent abuse with loss or witnessing abuse; adult abduction or assault; trajectory from lifetime abuse, substance use, and criminal and antisocial behaviors to sobriety; role of friends and family support in recovery; and role of treatment and opioid court in recovery, which we related to SDH, gender-based criminogenic factors, and public health. These experiences put participants at risk of further physical and mental health disorders, yet indicate potential strategies. Findings support future studies examining strategies where courts and health systems could collaboratively address SDH with women Opioid Intervention Court participants.

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