34. Breaking down the Structural Determinants of Health

We learn in medical training that factors big and small have an influence on health. Broader social, economic, political, and environmental forces play an important role in determining who experiences good health, and who does not.

In this episode, host Sandra and Dr. Yipeng Ge, a family doctor and public health practitioner, drill down into the details of the structural determinants of health. What are they? How do we recognize their influence in our patients? As medical learners and trainees, what can we do about them?

Check out this episode to hear Dr. Ge’s insights on these questions, which draw on his current practice here on Turtle Island, as well as his work in Palestine.

Resources:

- Learn more about the concept of social prescribing from the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing.

- Read up on the advocacy work of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) and the UBC Medical Undergraduate Society’s Political Advocacy Committee.

- Listen to this recent episode of Just Medicine for more on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action. 

Credits:

Additional music by AmsleyBeats, used under the ⁠Pixabay content license⁠.