Faculty Publications

The Social Ecology Of Health: Leverage Points And Linkages

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Contextual factors and health, Ecology, Health promotion and interventions, Practice guidelines, Public and community health

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Behavioral Medicine

Volume

26

Issue

3

First Page

101

Last Page

115

Abstract

The authors demonstrate the usefulness of social ecology theory for improving the treatment and prevention of poor health. The social ecology of health, unlike the topics of previous triptychs in Behavioral Medicine, is a field without a clearly defined body of literature. We begin with an overview of the ecological perspective and ecological theory as outlined by Bronfenbrenner and colleagues, provide examples of how ecological concepts have been demonstrated to influence health, and discuss how these concepts can be used by health professionals. We present a heuristic model illustrating leverage points and linkages (i.e., socioeconomic status, family, work, and school), for health, and we conclude with a consideration of the benefits of social ecology to health professionals and a summary of the limitations of the ecological model.

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

Original Publication Date

1-1-2000

DOI of published version

10.1080/08964280009595758

Link to Full Text

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