The social determinants of health: is there a role for health promotion foundations?

Issue addressed If they are to respond effectively to health inequities, organisations involved in health promotion need to refocus on the social determinants of health (SDH) and the distribution of resources for health. Methods This paper examines the potential of health promotion foundations (HPFs), a semi-autonomous arm of the state, to act at several policy and program intervention points to address the SDH and reduce health inequities. Conclusion The public purpose, enterprise and innovation potential of health promotion foundations provides them with unique capacity to respond to SDH. In the complex and contested policy environment surrounding action on the determinants of health, the role that foundations can most usefully play is that of a change agent in a broader social movement seeking health equity. So what? No single model, approach, sector, organisation or group will be effective in reducing health inequities, although some may be more important players. It is valuable for health and other organisations – government, nongovernment and private alike – to reflect on their place in the apparatus of change and how they can most usefully work with others to achieve greater health equity.