Health outcomes are largely determined by political, economic, and social factors and choices that include bio-psycho-socio-political interactions which collectively shape and condition our opportunities to live healthy lives. Social inequalities in health are systematic, unfair and avoidable health differences between population groups, caused by unjust social structures and arrangements. Health equity implies that everyone, regardless of their social circumstances, should have the opportunity to achieve their “full health potential”. The JHU-UPF Public Policy Center studies the diverse determinants, interactions and dynamics that negatively impact the health, wellbeing and health equity of populations, as well as potential mechanisms to reduce them. Some current research areas are:

• The implementation of effective policy governance and “Health in All Policies”.
• The emergence of new global pandemics and their effects on health, wellbeing and inequalities, such as the global obesity pandemic.
• How to create and measure healthy sustainable cities.
• Understanding the ‘iceberg’, evolution and mechanisms of gender violence, and potential policy interventions.
• Analyzing global capacities to generate research and evidence on health inequalities, and how to strengthen them to better inform local policy and action.