The Adler School social media team is blogging with updates and reaction throughout the next two days (Sept. 19-2o) from “The Social Determinants of Urban Mental Health: Paving the Way Forward” in Chicago, hosted by the Adler School Institute on Social Exclusion. Posts are written by attendees, each summarizing speakers, presentations and observations from the conference. Follow more conversation on Twitter (#ISE2012).
Also see a related blog post on today’s opening conference by the Adler School’s Dr. Paul Fitzgerald: Professor Sir Michael Marmot at Local Conference on Urban Mental Health.
Professor Sir Michael G. Marmot [Director, University College London institute of Health Equity, Marmot Institute and Chair, European Review on the Social Determinants of Health and the Health Divide] was the keynote speaker opening “The Social Determinants of Urban Mental Health: Paving the Way Forward” this morning.
He spoke on how life expectancy continuum for those of the top 20% can differ from 12 to 20 years, with focus on how the evidence shows that poor mental health is associated with social and economic deprivation.
Marmot described the role of stress pathways in the overall health and well-being of people who live in cities, and the importance of taking action on the social determinants of health across the life course. He spoke of the progression from good child development models, skills development and better work environments, could affect life expectancy and encourage longer, healthier lives.
Marmot also said that every sector is a health sector, and many can’t reform the healthcare systems without addressing the social determinants of healthcare. Our purpose must be one of social justice; our role is to provide practical steps.
- YeVette Harris, Adler School of Professional Psychology
