When we think about what makes us healthy, we often think about health care. But to really understand what makes us healthy, we need to look at the bigger picture and the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.

Our work exploring the social determinants of health explores how these factors shape our opportunities to be healthy and highlights how action from a wide range of organisations can create a healthier society. 

We also want to change the conversation to focus on health as an asset, rather than ill health as a burden.

Our analysis

Discover

Evidence hub: What drives health inequalities?

Discover

Data and insight highlighting how the circumstances in which we live shape our opportunities for...

Publications

Quick guide

What makes us healthy?

March 2018
Quick guide

This guide explores how a person’s opportunity for health is influenced by factors outside the...

Strategy

Healthy lives for people in the UK

January 2017
Strategy

The greatest influences on people's health and wellbeing come from outside health care, including...

Infographics

We want our series of infographics to be a useful resource to help change the conversation about what makes us healthy. You are welcome to download, save and share them for education and non-commercial use. Please make sure that no modifications are made and that the Health Foundation and the source is clearly acknowledged in full.

If you have any further questions about using our resources in your work please get in touch at website@health.org.uk

Infographic

Infographic: What makes us healthy?

Infographic

To understand what shapes our health and wellbeing, we need to look at the bigger picture. This...

Infographic

How is work good for our health?

Infographic

By providing good work for all, we can reduce socio-economic inequalities and create a healthier...

Infographic

How do our family, friends and community influence our health?

Infographic

Infographic illustrating how our family, friends and community build the foundations for good...

Infographic

Transport and health

Infographic

Infographic looking at the links between our health and transport

Infographic

Poverty and health

Infographic

Infographic looking at how our money and resources can influence our health.

Infographic

How do our education and skills influence our health?

Infographic

Our latest infographic looks at how health is influenced by education and skills, and the...

Infographic

How do our surroundings influence our health?

Infographic

Infographic looking at how health is influenced by how places, spaces and buildings make us feel,...

Infographic

Our food and our health

Infographic

Infographic looking at how our health is influenced by the food we eat.

Infographic

How does housing influence our health?

Infographic

This infographic illustrates the main ways in which the links between housing and health play out.

Get involved

Collection

Thinking differently about health

Collection

We’re working with the FrameWorks Institute to help people think differently about health.

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Work with us

We look for talented and passionate individuals as everyone at the Health Foundation has an important role to play.

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The Q community

Q is an initiative connecting people with improvement expertise across the UK.

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