A public health model of the social determinants of health provided the theoretical framework for this report. Essentially, the model predicts that the underlying social determinants of health impact on the health of individuals both directly and indirectly via the healthcare system and disease-inducing behaviours.
After describing the subjective wellbeing of randomly selected adults across Victoria, the report goes on to explore the underlying drivers of subjective wellbeing in Victoria. The social determinants investigated included the socioeconomic determinants, psychosocial risk factors, and social capital. The disease-inducing behaviours investigated included smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, overweight and obesity, and diet.
The use of various healthcare services as indicators of availability, access and healthcare-seeking behaviour were investigated. The health outcomes investigated included self-reported health status, depression and anxiety, cancer, osteoporosis, asthma, dental health, and sleep.
The final part of the report discusses the strengths and limitations of the study, the policy implications, the conclusions reached, and suggestions for the way forward. This is done in the context of the wider literature using the highest level of evidence available at the time.