Comprehensive Glossary for NCCID Terms

We have provided separate definitions for each, we can also combine them if you prefer.
 
Determinants of health are any factors that influence the health of people or groups of people. These factors are often beyond the control of the individual or group, and help explain why some people or groups are healthy, and others not. Determinants of health can be biological, social, or structural (see below). 

Biological determinants of health: are inherited factors, such as biological sex and genetics.

Social determinants of health are the circumstances into which people are born, grow up, live, work and age. It is usually a combination of these and other social factors that influence the health of people or groups of people.
 
Structural determinants of health are economic, legal, or political systems that create or perpetuate health inequalities by limiting access to wealth or power. These systems can be related to geography (where someone is born or lives), or even history (such as residential schools).

Person or population at risk are persons or groups of people who, because of various factors, are more likely to suffer from certain diseases or other forms of poor health. These factors, also called determinants of health, include education or income levels, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, housing, or geographic region, among others.

A Health inequality is a measurable difference in health risk, health status or health outcome between two or more population groups. A health inequity is a difference in health risk, health status or health status that is unjust or avoidable and can be mitigated. 

Some populations or groups of people have a greater risk of getting certain diseases (such as STIs or TB) or worse outcomes because of who they are (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, race), their levels of education, where they live, availability of preventive measures or treatments, etc.

Health equity is a goal to ensure everyone enjoys the best health possible, regardless of social, economic, and environmental circumstances, including socially constructed factors such as race, gender, sexuality, religion and social status. Achieving health equity requires acknowledging that some people have unequal starting places, so different strategies and resources are needed to correct the imbalance and make health possible.

Health equity is achieved when disparities in health status between groups due to social and structural factors are reduced or eliminated. See also social determinants of health.

In most cases, when an individual is susceptible they are more likely to get a disease because of lack of protection or poor resistance to it, or because of other health determinants.