Education is a social determinant of health. Education and learning opportunities can happen in a school setting, informally at home or at work, or in non-formal learning environments like community centres. Education and learning happen at all ages and in all contexts.[1]
Why is this important?
Education is connected to better health, positive health behaviours, the use of services that prevent poor health, and longer life overall.[2,3] People who have acquired more skills through their education can often access higher paying jobs.[2]
At a community level, education and training are part of decreasing poverty, unemployment and income inequality. The negative health effects of a lack of education can be eased through adequate income and services like affordable childcare.[3]
There are four concepts within the Education Domain:
Early Childhood Education and Care
References
[1] Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning (2012). UNESCO Guidelines for the Recognition, Validation and Accreditation of the Outcomes of Non-formal and Informal Learning. Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002163/216360e.pdf
[2] OECD (2006) Measuring the Effects of Education on Health and Civic Engagement Proceedings of the Copenhagen Symposium. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/edu/innovation-education/37437718.pdf
[3] Mikkonen, J. & Raphael, D. (2010). Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York University School of Health Policy and Management. Available at: http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/The_Canadian_Facts.pdf