Certificate in Health Equity

This certificate is designed as an interdisciplinary certificate that provides a background in disciplines that relate to the social and behavioral determinants of health. Determinants of health are social, cultural, political, and economic factors coupled with individual factors that impact population as well as individual health outcomes. Socio-economic upstream factors are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices e.g. policies to promote economic development and reduce poverty; policies to promote healthier homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces; housing policy; policies affecting access to health care; education policy; social policy; community empowerment; social capital; social inclusion/ exclusion; transportation policy; job training programs; food policy; health system policy and more. Individual downstream factors are those of behavior/lifestyle; gender; genes/family history, stress, income, education, food insecurity, access to health care, and housing.