The determinants of health and analysis of risk factors influencing upon it: the publications review

In scientific literature, the concepts of health determinants and public health determinants often overlap, but have nuances. The universal definition of “public health determinant” in modern scientific literature is absent. The polysemy of the term is conditioned by differences in methodological approaches and research context. The accurate differentiation is found in the works of Russian scholars. So, health determinants are mainly regarded as social factors (as reflected in statistical data). Whereas public health determinants are considered in the light of organizational mechanisms that include health care policy and statistical monitoring. No consideration of the differences between these terms is present in scientific publications of the last decade. The WHO played key role in attracting attention to the concept of social determinants of health. The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people live, study, work, and communicate. They significantly impact on differences in population health. The article demonstrates that public health determinants represent a complex system of interrelated factors determining health risks, including socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral and biological aspects. The COVID-19 pandemic as global challenge revealed additional risks of development and complications of chronic pathology that highlights necessity of comprehensive approach to monitoring and counteracting health risks. This research results can serve as a basis for scientific studies and practical initiatives in health care field targeted to minimization of risks and to health preservation of population on National scale. The development of strategies counteracting public health threats is to be based on modern methods of monitoring and enhancement of preventive activities.