Using United States Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and Census data, this study replicated and extended previous research conducted using the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) by Statistics Canada. It examines the associations among both lifestyle and social determinants predictors and a criterion of perceived health. Results were also compared cross-culturally (United States and Canada). The study used secondary data analysis of 2000 and 2001 United States and Census data. In particular, multiple linear regression (MLR) and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) were used to analyze state and individual-level data. Unlike data at the aggregate level (Canadian health regions and states of the United States), results at the individual-level were consistent across the United States and Canada. Social determinants of health (socioeconomics) were better predictors of health than lifestyle (behaviors). Individual-level socioeconomic characteristics and lifestyle were better predictors than higher level contexts (i.e., characteristics of a state or health regions). The findings of this study suggest that health educators should further research, and increase the focus in teaching and service on, social determinants of health in addition to efforts emphasizing lifestyles (health behaviors). This recommendation aligns with the soon to be released Healthy People 2020 that will add social determinants of health as a priority area for public health.

Background: Access to safe and nutritious food is a universal right, which is essential for well-being. Food security exists when “all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious foods to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Despite a call by global leaders to ensure food security and eradicate food insecurity, food insecurity remains a serious public health concern in Canada. While public health nurses are ideally situated to advance this public health priority, they have been conspicuously absent from important research and decision-making tables where work to address these inequities take place. This is the impetus for this study. Purpose: To explore how public health nurses engage in work to address food insecurity. The study uncovers the dynamic interplay of structures, processes, and agency that enable and constrain public health nurses work. An understanding of the sociopolitical contexts of public health helps to strengthen public health nurses’ engagement in food insecurity thereby contributing to health equity in Canada. Methodology: A holistic qualitative case study approach informed by the tenets of critical realism was used to guide this study in Nova Scotia. Primary data sources were 19 individual interviews and a review of 33 documents. Data were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by Framework Analysis and matrix construction. The trustworthiness of data was ensured through Lincoln and Guba’s criteria for qualitative studies. Findings: Four major themes include: 1) Framing Food (In)Security, 2) The Role of Public Health Nurses; 3) Navigating the Terrain of Food Insecurity; and 4) Resources to Advance Food Insecurity Work in Public Health Nursing Practice. Discussion and Implications: The dynamic interplay among leaders with differing ideologies and organizational culture has an impact on health equity agendas and subsequently on public health nursing engagement in work to address food insecurity. Capitalizing on a “clash of cultures” is associated with effective community food security outcomes. We must continue to illuminate the tensions among public health nurses and other stakeholders as well as address issues of power relations both within and external to the public health system. Conclusion: Public health may benefit greatly from building capacity of public health nurses’ to engage in both upstream and downstream food insecurity work.

abstract: American Indian literature is replete with language that refers to broken or hollow promises the US government has made to American Indians, one of the most prominent being that the US government has not kept its promises regarding health services for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Some commenters refer to treaties between tribes and the US government as the origin of the promise for health services to AI/AN. Others point to the trust relationship between the sovereign nations of American Indian tribes and the US government, while still others assert that the Snyder Act of 1921 or the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) contained the promise for health care. While the US has provided some form of health care for AI/AN since the country was in its infancy, and continues to do so through the Indian Health Service, the promise of health services for AI/AN is not explicit. Philosophers have articulated that a promise contains a moral obligation to fulfill it because of others’ expectations created by that promise. As the US government made its first promises in early treaties with AI/AN tribes and subsequently made promises in the years since, it is morally obligated to fulfill those promises, be they lying promises or not, because of resulting expectations. Yet, the US government has historically acted to restrict the rights of AI/AN—rights that include access to health services—through assimilation, separation, or termination policies. Further, the policies of the US government have kept the AI/AN populations socioeconomically impoverished, dependent on the US government for basic needs, and susceptible to health-compromising conditions. Using case studies, this dissertation looks not only at the policies and events that directly affected health services and health status, but also at how those policies and events contributed to health outcomes and the expectations of AI/AN. Given the history of the US government in fulfilling (or not fulfilling) its promises, this dissertation examines the expectations of AI/AN for their own future health outcomes under the policy of self-governance. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biology 2016

This descriptive ethno-theatre case study explored the impact of intergenerational engagement through a reminiscence theatre arts initiative on the psychosocial quality of life for older adults with mild to moderate cognitive decline. Study participants were comprised of 11 adults 65 years and older residing in a dementia-specific residential care facility unit, and 13 University of Victoria Theatre students. Both qualitative and quantitative procedures were integrated into the case study. Qualitative processes consisted of older adult life history interview transcriptions, ethno-theatre field notes of theatre devising and performance processes, and post-program drama evaluations. Quantitative measures included pre- and post-administered instruments: CASP-19; Alzheimer’s Disease-related Quality of Life (ADRQL) – Revised; and older adult health perception surveys. Overall, it appears from the data that active engagement in reminiscence theatre (the process of creating and performing theatre from real life memories and stories) results in a positive impact on older adults’ well-being – increased self-esteem, elevated mood and social engagement, decreased isolation and boredom, and desire to continue with activities. This study’s findings suggest that the integration of reminiscence arts initiatives into residential care plans for older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment can substantially enhance psychosocial quality of life. These findings are consistent with reminiscence and life review theory in that intergenerational engagement in these processes promotes healthy aging. This study demonstrated that intergenerational connection between young and older adults through drama and storytelling activities occurred. The creative reciprocal initiatives of reminiscence arts in turn fostered a context for social and emotional engagement that appeared to reduce older adults’ isolation. / Graduate

nÃo hà / O Brasil à responsÃvel pela maior parte da carga de doenÃa relacionada Ãs DoenÃas Tropicais Negligenciadas (DTNs) na AmÃrica Latina. Foram analisadas as tendÃncias temporais, padrÃes espaÃo-temporais e fatores associados à mortalidade relacionada Ãs DTNs no Brasil. Foi realizada uma sÃrie de estudos ecolÃgicos baseados em dados secundÃrios de mortalidade provenientes do Sistema de InformaÃÃes sobre Mortalidade. Foram incluÃdos todos os Ãbitos relacionados Ãs DTNs registrados no Brasil no perÃodo de 2000 a 2011. A tese foi organizada em sete eixos temÃticos de acordo com suas especificidades metodolÃgicas e doenÃas analisadas: tendÃncias temporais e padrÃes espaÃo-temporais da mortalidade relacionada ao grupo de DTNs (Eixo 1) e DTNs especÃficas com elevado impacto de mortalidade no Brasil (esquistossomose, hansenÃase, neurocisticercose, leishmaniose visceral e coinfecÃÃo leishmaniose visceral e HIV/aids) (Eixos 2 a 6); anÃlise dos fatores socioeconÃmicos, demogrÃficos, ambientais/climÃticos e de assistÃncia à saÃde associados à mortalidade relacionada Ãs DTNs em nÃvel municipal no Brasil, utilizando modelos de regressÃo linear multivariada e regressÃo espacial local (Eixo 7). No perÃodo de estudo, 12.491.280 Ãbitos foram registrados no Brasil. Foram identificadas 100.814 (0,81%) declaraÃÃes de Ãbitos em que pelo menos uma causa de morte relacionada Ãs DTNs foi mencionada. A doenÃa de Chagas foi a DTN mais mencionada (72.827; 72,0%), seguido pela esquistossomose (8.756; 8,7%) e hansenÃase (7.732; 7,6%). O coeficiente mÃdio padronizado de mortalidade foi de 5,67 Ãbitos/100.000 habitantes (intervalo de confianÃa de 95% [IC 95%]: 5,56-5,77). Os maiores coeficientes de mortalidade foram observados em pessoas do sexo masculino, com ≥70 anos de idade, raÃa/cor preta e residente na regiÃo Centro-Oeste. Os coeficientes de mortalidade apresentaram tendÃncia de declÃnio significativo em nÃvel nacional no perÃodo (variaÃÃo percentual anual [APC]: -2,1%; IC 95%: -2,8; -1,3), com diminuiÃÃo da mortalidade nas regiÃes Sudeste, Sul e Centro-Oeste, aumento na regiÃo Norte e estabilidade na regiÃo Nordeste. Foram identificados clusters de alto risco em todas as regiÃes brasileiras, destacando-se um cluster que abrange uma ampla Ãrea geogrÃfica na regiÃo central do Brasil. A anÃlise de regressÃo linear multivariada mostrou uma associaÃÃo global positiva entre a mortalidade relacionada Ãs DTNs e a taxa de urbanizaÃÃo, migraÃÃo, Ãndice de Gini, taxa de desemprego, saneamento inadequado, populaÃÃo de raÃa/cor preta, cobertura do Programa Bolsa FamÃlia e temperatura, enquanto houve uma relaÃÃo negativa com a renda domiciliar, densidade de mÃdicos, extrema pobreza, densidade domiciliar, umidade e precipitaÃÃo. Os resultados da RegressÃo Geograficamente Ponderada (GWR) indicaram variaÃÃes espaciais significativas em todas as associaÃÃes entre as variÃveis explicativas e a mortalidade por DTNs ao longo de todo o paÃs, em que cada fator ecolÃgico teve efeito diferente sobre a mortalidade em diferentes regiÃes brasileiras. As DTNs continuam sendo importantes causas de morte prevenÃveis e um problema de saÃde pÃblica no Brasil. A sobreposiÃÃo geogrÃfica e as Ãreas de alto risco para Ãbitos relacionados Ãs DTNs chamam atenÃÃo para implementaÃÃo de medidas integradas de controle nas Ãreas com maior morbidade e mortalidade. A distribuiÃÃo espacial da mortalidade relacionada Ãs DTNs nos municÃpios brasileiros està correlacionada com indicadores socioeconÃmicos, demogrÃficos e ambientais/climÃticos, com variaÃÃes geogrÃficas significativas. EstratÃgias locais abrangentes e medidas de prevenÃÃo e controle para DTNs devem ser formuladas de acordo com essas caracterÃsticas nas regiÃes endÃmicas brasileiras. / Brazil accounts for most of the disease burden related to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Latin America. We analyzed temporal trends, spatiotemporal patterns and associated factors to NTD-related mortality in Brazil. We performed a series of ecological studies based on secondary mortality data from the Mortality Information System. We included all NTD-related deaths recorded in Brazil from 2000 to 2011. The thesis is organized into seven Thematic Axes according to their methodological characteristics and diseases analyzed: Time trends and spatiotemporal patterns of mortality related to NTDsâ group (Axis 1) and specific NTDs with high mortality impact in Brazil (schistosomiasis, leprosy, neurocysticercosis, visceral leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis and HIV/AIDS co-infection) (Axes 2 to 6); analysis of socioeconomic, demographic, environmental and health care ecological factors associated with the NTD-related mortality at municipal level in Brazil, using multivariate linear regression and local spatial regression models (Axis 7). During the study period, 12,491,280 deaths were recorded in Brazil. We identified 100,814 (0.81%) death certificates in which at least one cause of death related to NTDs was mentioned. Chagas disease was the most commonly mentioned NTD (72,827; 72.0%), followed by schistosomiasis (8,756, 8.7%) and leprosy (7,732; 7.6%). The average annual age-adjusted mortality rate was 5.67 deaths/100.000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 5.56-5.77). The highest mortality rates were observed in males, age group ≥70 years, black race/color and residents in the Central-West region. The mortality rates presented a significant decreasing trend at national level during the period (annual percentage change [APC]: -2.1%; 95% CI: -2.8; -1.3), with decreasing mortality in the Southeast, South and Central-West regions, increase in the North region and stability in the Northeast region. We identified high-risk clusters in all Brazilian regions, highlighting a major cluster covering a wide geographical area in central Brazil. The multivariate linear regression analysis indicated a global positive relationship between NTD-related mortality rates and urbanization, migration, Gini index, unemployment, inadequate sanitation, black population, Bolsa FamÃlia Program coverage and temperature, while there was a negative relationship with household income, density of physicians, extreme poverty, household density, humidity and precipitation. The results of the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models indicated significant spatial variations in all associations between the explanatory variables and NTD-related mortality throughout the country; each ecological factor had a different effect on mortality in the different regions. NTDs remain important causes of preventable death and a public health problem in Brazil. The geographical overlap and areas of high-risk for NTD-related deaths identified call attention to implementation of integrated measures of control in areas with higher morbidity and mortality. The spatial distribution of NTD-related mortality in Brazilian municipalities is correlated with socioeconomic, demographic and environmental/climate factors, with significant geographic variations. Comprehensive local strategies and control and prevention measures for NTDs should be planned according to these characteristics in Brazilian endemic regions.

nÃo hà / As necessidades de saÃde da populaÃÃo nÃo sÃo atendidas de forma satisfatÃria, delineando desafios de diversas ordens Ãs prÃticas de saÃde. A superaÃÃo deste cenÃrio implica conhecer as necessidades dos grupos sociais e criar instrumentos e estratÃgias para atendÃ-las, o que requer esforÃos das ciÃncias e prÃticas em saÃde coletiva. Esta pesquisa analisa necessidades de saÃde em periferias urbanas de uma cidade mÃdia do Nordeste brasileiro. Ancorado no mÃtodo dialÃtico, as necessidades foram analisadas em sua articulaÃÃo com a totalidade, buscando a explicitaÃÃo das mediaÃÃes e contradiÃÃes envolvidas. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com moradores, observaÃÃes de campo, aplicaÃÃo de questionÃrio, alÃm de pesquisa documental. Evidenciaram-se cinco conjuntos de necessidades: necessidade de produtos e serviÃos biomÃdicos; necessidade de dinheiro para consumir produtos e serviÃos biomÃdicos; necessidade de alimentos saudÃveis; necessidade de hÃbitos saudÃveis; e necessidade de boas relaÃÃes interpessoais com os trabalhadores dos serviÃos de saÃde. Embora agrupadas, elas sÃo singulares aos modos de vida individuais e coletivos, tecidos numa trama que articula atores sociais, polÃticos, culturais, econÃmicos, cientÃficos e midiÃticos; e revelam contradiÃÃes em sua maioria desfavorÃveis à satisfaÃÃo das necessidades de saÃde e um processo de reproduÃÃo social fortemente direcionado para a acumulaÃÃo do capital. As necessidades de saÃde sÃo multidimensionais, assumem conteÃdos e formas diversificadas, conforme as especificidades de vida e saÃde dos sujeitos individuais e coletivos. Carecem, para sua apreensÃo, de mÃtodos inscritos em diferentes tradiÃÃes de pesquisa, sendo apenas parcialmente capturadas pelos indicadores epidemiolÃgicos tradicionalmente utilizados nos sistemas de saÃde. / The health needs of the population are not answered satisfactorily, outlining challenges of various orders to health practices. Overcoming this scenario implies knowing the needs of social groups and creating tools and strategies to meet them, which requires efforts of sciences and practices in public health.This research examines health needs in urban peripheries of a midsize city in Northeast Brazil. Anchored in the dialectical method, needs were analyzed in conjunction with their entirety, seeking clarification of mediations and contradictions involved.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents,besides field observations, questionnaires, as well as documentary research. They evidenced five sets of needs: need for biomedical products and services; need for money to consume biomedical products and services; need for healthy food; need for healthy habits; and need for good interpersonal relationships with employees of health services.Although grouped together, those needs are singular to the individual and collective lifestyles, woven into a web that articulates social, political, cultural, economic, scientific and media actors; and reveal contradictions that are mostly unfavorable to meet the health needs and a process of social reproduction that is strongly targeted to the accumulation of capital.Health needs are multidimensional,they assume diverse forms and contents, according to the specificities of life and health of individuals and groups. For their recognition, they require methodsenrolled in different research traditions, being only partially captured by the epidemiological indicators traditionally used in health systems.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-15T18:34:27Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_FINALMENTE.pdf: 926485 bytes, checksum: 323b2acc40d730e23d446043ee5486b7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-15T18:34:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_FINALMENTE.pdf: 926485 bytes, checksum: 323b2acc40d730e23d446043ee5486b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-24 / O envelhecimento no Brasil tem sido experenciado a partir de um perfil de superposição de processos epidemiológicos, associados a desfavoráveis contextos políticos, sociais e econômicos, afetando diretamente a saúde enquanto produto social destas relações. O objetivo geral dessa pesquisa foi analisar a relação entre o envelhecimento ativo e os determinantes sociais da saúde em idosos residentes em uma área coberta pela Estratégia de Saúde da Família. O estudo foi analítico de corte transversal e a população composta pelos idosos acompanhados por uma da Equipes de Saúde da Família atuantes na USF Jordão Alto/Recife. As variáveis independentes foram aquelas referentes aos determinantes sociais da saúde presentes no modelo esquemático criado por Dahlgren e Whitehead. Como variável dependente, foi utilizada a variável latente envelhecimento ativo, criada com a junção de capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida, categorizada posteriormente como muito ativo , médio ativo e pouco ativo . Como parte da análise foi feita associação, inicialmente univariada e depois multivariada, utilizando-se a regressão multinomial através do método forward. Observou-se, portanto, que a idade avançada apresenta um risco maior para o envelhecimento pouco ativo , assim como, não consumir açúcar e ter renda de até dois salários mínimos. Ser mulher idosa, ter a cor da pele não considerada como branca, não ter convívio familiar e ter até cinco anos de estudo apresentaram-se como fatores de risco para se ter um envelhecimento médio ativo . Já o fato de não ter sofrido nenhum acidente de trabalho se caracterizou como um fator de proteção para o envelhecimento. A principal indagação desse estudo obtém como resposta que tal relação é indissociável. Em algum nível sempre se observará a ação de algum determinante afetando o envelhecimento, seja enquanto fator de risco para a sua qualidade, seja como fator de proteção permitindo aflorar todo o potencial de vida dos indivíduos. / The aging in Brazil have been experienced from an overlapping epidemiological process profile associated with unfavorable political contexts, socials and economics, directly affecting the health as social product of these relations. The general aim this research was the analysis of relationship between active aging and health social determinants in elders living in a Family Health Strategy. The study was analytical cross-sectional cohort and the population composed by elderly accompanied by Family Health Strategy unit in the neighborhood Jordão Alto/Recife. Independent variables were about the health social determinants presents in the schematic model created by Dahlgren and Whitehead. The latent variable active aging was composed by functional capacity and quality of life and after categorized itself as very active , medium active and little active . As part of the analysis was made univariate association and after multivariate association, using multinomial logistic regression by the forward method. Was observed that advanced age shows a greater risk to little active aging , as well as, not sugar intake and have income until two brazilian minimum wages. Be woman elderly, have no considered as white flesh tone, have no familiar relationships and had study up to five years proved to be risk factors to have medium aging . While the fact that not suffered anyone occupational accident was a protection for an aging. The main question of this study, about the relationship between active aging and social determinants of health, get an answer that these relationship is inseparable. At any level always will be observed the action of some determinant affecting the aging, whether as a risk factor for its quality, as a protection factor allowing emerge all the potential life of individuals.

In Canada, falls are one of the leading causes of injury and deaths for seniors. These types of injuries can typically be avoided through falls prevention programs, and past studies suggest that these health services have significantly reduced seniors’ falls risk and rates in Canada. Despite the abundance of falls prevention research, practices and programs available in the country, Aboriginal Elders remain overrepresented in fall-related injury and fatality rates. The elevated rates of falls for Aboriginal Elders indicate that current falls prevention programs and standards may not be reaching those most vulnerable to fall hazards and injuries. My thesis is written in the publishable paper format and is comprised of two papers. Using an exploratory case study methodology in paper one, I investigated the social determinants of health that Inuvialuit Elders and LFPPs identify as factors that increase, decrease, or have no effect on the likelihood of an Inuvialuit Elder experiencing a fall. Together, we found that personal health status and conditions, personal health practices and coping skills, physical environments, social support networks, and access to health services increase Inuvialuit Elders likelihood of experiencing a fall, health practices and coping skills and access to health services decrease Inuvialuit Elders likelihood of experiencing a fall, and culture has no affect on the likelihood of Inuvialuit Elders experiencing a fall. In paper two, I used a participatory action research approach informed by postcolonial theory to examine what current falls prevention recommendations are offered by local falls prevention programmers (LFPPs) in order to reduce fall rates among Inuvialuit Elders in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada; and to understand how falls prevention programs for Inuvialuit Elders can be co-created with participants to be culturally safe. In it, I provide the recommended strategies of developing and implementing a culturally safe falls prevention program for Inuvialuit Elders, as suggested by the LFPPs and Inuvialuit Elders who participated in the research. Taken together, the papers in this thesis make it apparent that research concerning falls prevention for Aboriginal Elders and falls prevention programs continues to be influenced by colonial practices. As a result, there is a demonstrated need for program development and research in this area to work towards reducing health disparities and challenging colonial practices.

There is limited knowledge on the sexual health behaviors of young adults with physical disabilities, as people with disabilities have traditionally been treated homogenously without acknowledgement of the potential differences between disability types. The objective of this study was twofold. The first goal was to take a novel approach by guidance of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework to compare how young adults with physical disabilities compare against those without physical disabilities in: 1) vaginal sexual activity, 2) condom usage, and 3) the effect of SDOH factors as potential mediators in predicting unprotected vaginal sex. Relatedly, the second goal was to investigate whether there was a difference in condom usage based on disability type criteria, specifically examining membership into the following impairment groups: physical disability, chronic health conditions, vision impairments, hearing impairments, and stuttering/stammering problems. This study employed secondary data analysis based on data from the National Longitudinal Adolescent to Adult Health Survey (ADD Health) – Wave III, in-home interview, public-use dataset. The variables used for the SDOH proxies were job status, student status, housing type, level of education, mentor status, cohabitation status, and health insurance status. Additionally, other social and demographic factors were also accounted in the model: age, race/ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Results from bivariate regression suggest that only those young adults with visual impairments and those with stuttering/stammering issues are less likely to engage in sexual activity when compared to their healthy counterparts. Regarding condom usage among sexually active individuals, those with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, and hearing impairments may be less likely to use protection than their counterparts. However, further investigation revealed that the associations between condom usage and those disability type groups are mediated by 1 of the 7 measures of SDOH (cohabitation status) and three demographic factors – gender, race, and age. Hence, it is not the disability type that reduces safe sex practices compliance, but rather that those disability groups are associated to social and demographic factors that are, in turn, linked to unsafe sex practices. Furthermore, it appears that irrespective of disability membership, gender, age, race, and cohabitation status are all associated with condom use compliance. Findings advocate for a supplementary investigation of the relative contributions of the particular social factors that mediate the effect between disability status and condom usage.

This is an inter-disciplinary argument for a moral entitlement to a capability to be healthy. Motivated by the goal to make a human right to health intelligible and justifiable, the thesis extends the capability approach, advocated by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, to the theory and practice of the human health sciences. Moral claims related to human health are considered at the level of ethical theory, or a level of abstraction where principles of social justice that determine the purpose, form, and scope of basic social institutions are proposed, evaluated, and justified. The argument includes 1) a conception of health as capability, 2) a theory of causation and distribution of health capability as well as 3) an argument for the moral entitlement to a sufficient and equitable capability to be healthy grounded in the respect for human dignity. Moreover, the entitlement to the capability to be healthy is defended against alternative ethical approaches that focus on welfare or resources in evaluating and satisfying health claims. In specific, it is argued that human health is best understood as a capability to be healthy - a meta-capability to achieve a cluster of basic and inter-related capabilities and functionings. Such a cluster of capabilities and functionings is in line with Martha Nussbaum's central human capabilities. A theory of causation and distribution of health capability is put forward that integrates the 'classic' biomedical factors of disease (genetic endowment, exposure to hazardous materials, behaviour), social determinants of disease, and Drèze and Sen's econometric analysis of the causation and distribution of acute and endemic malnutrition. Furthermore, the argument critiques Norman Daniels's revised Rawlsian theory of health justice, and advocates for the capability approach to recognize group capabilities in light of 'population health' phenomena. Lastly, the thesis also argues that a coherent, capability conception of health as a species-wide conception will tend to make any theory of justice recognizing health claims a cosmopolitan theory of justice.