The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM): A Framework for Understanding the Determinants of Health Behaviour

It is often believed that people are in control of their own actions, behaviours, and ultimately their health status, but what if it’s not that simple. What if someone wants to eat healthier but the nearest grocery store is 30 minutes away, they don’t have a car, their area does not have reliable public transportation, and if buying fast food is cheaper to feed their family. The Ottawa Charter defines health promotion as “the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. Unlike medical models for individual-level health, population health models allow for an examination of the broader context that influence health outcomes. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we’ll be taking a look at the socioecological model. References for Our Discussion Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Social-Ecological Model: Violence PreventionJill F. Kilanowski (2017): Breadth of the Socio-Ecological Model  COVID-19 Curriculum: Social-Ecological Model of Understanding Differential Impact of COVID-19Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Women and Children’s Health Policy Center: An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public HealthPodcast Co-HostsGordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPHWilliam Wang, BA, MPHLinda Holdbrook, BSc, MPHShare Your Thoughts With Us!Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We would love it if you shared your thoughts by commenting on our posts, sending us a direct message through social media, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Until then, we’ll see you in the next one.Music CreditsThe following tracks used in this episode were all produced by Lukrembo:Daily • Bread • Biscuit • Bored • Chocolate • Onion • Holiday