When discussing social determinants of health it includes the non-medical factors of economic and social conditions that influence individual and combined person’s differences in health outcomes. Factors such as where someone is born, where and how they grow up, their work life, home life and their age are just some systems that shape their living and daily conditions. Some relevant social determinants of health include the following:

Income and social determinants

Social determinants of health care have the ability to either strengthen or weaken individual and community health. They are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, this includes the condition in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. All of these play a major role in how health professionals view Indigenous people and extends to the situations they have endured in previous situations when medical treatment was necessary. People who experience stigma and discrimination because of race, class, gender or other identity factors experience physical and mental illness at a higher rate in comparison to people who are not similarly marginalised. 

Education

Education levels and standards are highly associated with the health outcomes of individuals. This means the higher education and qualifications someone has the more robust their health status will be. With greater education comes a greater understanding and knowledge towards nutrition, exercise and how to maintain a functioning body and mind. With Indigenous people unable to access appropriate education, not only do they lack the knowledge surrounding a healthy lifestyle, it also decreases the likelihood of obtaining a secure job, leading to unemployment. 

Unemployment and job insecurity

With deprived education diminishing job security and allowing for unemployment, the potential of unsustainable income is at greater risk. With many occupations today mandating a specific level of education it causes Indigenous people who have not had access to this education a redundant candidate. Unable to obtain a well paying job resulting in unemployment and/or job insecurity, income can be very poor if not at all. An adequate income is foundational in living a healthy lifestyle as it gives a prominent access to nutrient dense foods, more endured housing and other services. Without access to nutritious foods, the absence of important nutrients and an increase in processed food consumption creates a poor quality diet and can contribute to obesity. Obesity is a huge risk factor  for many diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, some musculoskeletal conditions and cancers. In 2018 to 2019, 71% od Aboriginal people aged 15 and over were overweight or obese.

Housing, basic amenities and the environment

The undersupply of housing, population growth and wages growth accounted for the remaining two-thirds of house price growth in the same period making it almost impossible to afford residency especially with a low income. Unable to afford adequate housing the risk of infectious disease is immensely increased, due to overcrowding and lack of working facilities. Indigenous Australians have less access to affordable and secure housing in comparison to other Australians, expanding their likeliness of homelessness. 

All these important determinants of Indigenous health inequality in Australia is what is causing the health of Aboriginal people to be substandard. With each determinant working as a butterfly effect and influencing the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people