Education Improves Public Health and Promotes Health Equity
2015/05/19 by Robert A. Hahn, Benedict I. Truman · 760 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Economic growth #Economics #Empirical evidence #Equity (law) #Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations #Health disparities and outcomes #Health education #Health equity #Health policy #Medicine #Nursing #Political science #Psychological intervention #Psychology #Public Health Policies and Education #Public economics #Public health #Public relations #Race and health #Social determinants of health
paper · open access · doi:10.1177/0020731415585986
published in International Journal of Health Services 45(4), 657-678 (SAGE Publishing)
openalex publication_date 2015/05/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Abstract
This article describes a framework and empirical evidence to support the argument that educational programs and policies are crucial public health interventions. Concepts of education and health are developed and linked, and we review a wide range of empirical studies to clarify pathways of linkage and explore implications. Basic educational expertise and skills, including fundamental knowledge, reasoning ability, emotional self-regulation, and interactional abilities, are critical components of health. Moreover, education is a fundamental social determinant of health - an upstream cause of health. Programs that close gaps in educational outcomes between low-income or racial and ethnic minority populations and higher-income or majority populations are needed to promote health equity. Public health policy makers, health practitioners and educators, and departments of health and education can collaborate to implement educational programs and policies for which systematic evidence indicates clear public health benefits.
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