These include things like housing, financial security, community safety, employment, education and the environment. These are known as the wider determinants of health.
Not all these factors are directly under your control, but are part of the place you grow up, live and work.
It's widely accepted that these factors contribute to significant levels of health inequality.
That’s why we’re working hard to improve things for Derbyshire residents affected by difficult circumstances such as unemployment, poverty, poor housing and the risk of crime.
Social exclusion
People can feel socially excluded for a number of different reasons. Factors may include poverty, old age, mental ill-health or a physical or learning disability.
This exclusion can have an effect on their health and ability to fulfil their full potential. We’re working hard to tackle social exclusion and help make health fairer for everyone.
Housing
Poor quality housing can have a huge impact on health. It can make existing health conditions worse, cause injuries and prevent people from reaching their full potential.
Education
Helping young people achieve their potential from an early age, including getting qualifications plays a vital role in making sure they are healthy in later life.
Employment
Employment plays a big role in health as it provides financial stability, promotes independence and is known to protect against physical and mental health problems. We’re working to provide people with as much support to get into work as possible.
We’re also working with local employers to help them improve the health and wellbeing of employees as part of our new Healthy Workplaces scheme.
Planning
Good local planning can actively support the health of individuals and the communities in which they live, work and play. Read more about active design at Sport England.
Transport
In a largely rural community like Derbyshire, transport plays an important role in helping people get to school, work and leisure facilities, as well as health services.
While most people have access to a car, some people don't and therefore public transport plays an important role in connecting people.
Health impact assessments (HIA)
To look at the impacts that wider determinants have on health, we carry out health impact assessments on a range of different topics.
HIA consider any proposed changes in the local area that may impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
This could cover anything from a new council policy about transport to a proposed housing development in your local area.
The HIA looks at the potential consequences for health and wellbeing that the changes may have.
Recommendations are then made on how to enhance the positive consequences and reduce the negatives.