The many determinants of health

Welcome back to the start of another academic year. The renewed energy that comes this time of year is a reminder to me of the experiences, knowledge, and purpose that our students, staff, and faculty from all over the world bring to this campus. Many of us may come to campus considering and attending to our own personal health while also recognizing the health of our communities and global populations. Depending on our own experiences, knowledge, and purpose, we may think about health while choosing which foods to eat or grow, how to get to work, where to study, and who receives our next text message. 

Since there are many determinants of health, what exactly do we mean when talking about health at Illinois?

I reflect on the Chancellor’s Health Innovation Visioning Committee (HIVC) that was charged last year to be bold, and to develop a new research and education model that would leverage our campus’ many strengths in technology-inspired health innovation. The committee spent months identifying and connecting with individuals, groups, academic units, and interdisciplinary research units all across campus to ensure health was represented in its broadest sense, and their work culminated in a report that can be found here.

The HIVC’s work was guided by the recognition of the multiple dimensions, determinants, and expanse of areas that affect human health, as well as the combination of the One Health and Exposome frameworks. This was captured in the figure highlighted here that emphasizes that we must take a comprehensive view and approach to health if we are to make our greatest and most sustained impact.

Illinois’ approach to health is multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and inclusive. We are not bound or limited by looking at health primarily in the context of medicine for the treatment of illness and disease. Our view of health addresses the many determinants that affect our well-being, invokes preventative practices, and recognizes the social factors that can often lead to disparities.

Because health is everywhere, affecting all aspects of our lives, Illinois health research, education, innovation, and engagement lives and thrives in every unit across campus. Your health may be individually personal, but it is also what connects you with others, and what contributes to the health of our families and communities, no matter what corner of the world you may be coming from as you return to campus.

IHSI strives to provide resources and opportunities for faculty, students, partners, and staff engaged in health-related work. Through our faculty training and development programs, research development and support services (centered largely on human research participants), community engagement and student programs, events, and other collaborations, we have engaged with every college and institute to elevate Illinois health and innovation across campus.

IHSI looks forward to working with our faculty, staff, student and organizational partners to further the Chancellor’s vision to promote the future of health innovation at Illinois, and we welcome opportunities for new partnerships and initiatives. We look forward to a new healthy academic year and new ways to broaden and strengthen our impact.

Be well,

Stephen Boppart