The Social Roots of Health Inequity in Tunisia: A Preliminary Study on the Social Determinants of Health Inequity

Abstract

Addressing the Social Determinants of Health is critical if we truly want to achieve health equity. The World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (2008) recognized the need to broaden the understanding of these determinants among the general public to facilitate change in communities and improve the overall health status. Using the data from the Tunisian Health Examination Survey (2016), this quantitative preliminary study explored the state of social inequity in health among the Tunisian population using a quantitative statistical analysis that shed light on the relations between the SDHs (Age – gender – SES – Geographical location – Area of residence – and Educational attainment) and the self-rated health status. This preliminary study explored the current state of health equity in Tunisia through exploring the hidden patterns of social identity formation and power relation inside society. This preliminary study also pointed out certain aspects of health inequity in Tunisia as well as the social factors and determinants contributing to the status-quo. The findings of this preliminary study could be the basis of an ambitious academic work that will explore the intersection between SDHs and their impact on health outcomes in Tunisia that will be an asset in the process of implementing health equity policies in the future.