It is estimated that clinical care contributes about only 20% to an individual’s overall health. Where one lives, learns, works and plays is increasingly recognized as having a much greater impact on an individual’s length and quality of life.  These health factors, also known as social determinants of health, reflect a growing area of interest, research and investment in community health improvement.

The population health framework recognizes the complexity of issues facing the health of our communities and provides a broad perspective to identify and address factors affecting health outcomes.  The premise is that health improvement can not be focused solely on individuals, or families, or communities; but must involve many sectors - such as health, social service, education, justice and government - to affect change.

This framework, in its grouping of health determinants, recognizes the significance of both internal and external health risk factors. Using the framework helps identify opportunities for intervention and can stimulate cross-sector partnerships to address community-level issues and policy development.

Many public health and health care systems are utilizing the population health framework to better understand what is influencing health and illness in their communities, and are incorporating the determinants of health (health factors) in their health improvement planning,