Citation

Zamankhani F, Abachizadeh K, Omidnia S, Abadi A, Hiedarnia MA. Med. J. Islam. Repub. Iran 2019; 33: e78.

Affiliation

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Tehran University of Medical Sciences)

DOI

10.34171/mjiri.33.78

PMID

31696072

PMCID

PMC6825399

Abstract

Background: Overall human health has been considered as physical, mental, and social health. The aim of the present study was to develop and measure Social Health Index in Iran by regions. Policymakers can implement evidence-based interventions by gaining knowledge about social health status. Methods: To develop Social Health Index, social health indicators were collected by literature review and indicators whose information existed in provincial level. The final list of indicators was derived based on expert opinions. Then, data were normalized by comparative standardization. Using additive model, the total score of social health was calculated and provinces were ranked. Results: Based on the composite index, including 39 indicators, a healthy society is properly characterized by lack of drug use, child labor, divorce, unemployed academics, child abuse, and smoking. The highest and lowest social health belonged to Yazd and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed the provinces' social health as an important tool for evidence-based policymaking. To monitor social health status, similar studies should be conducted every 3 to 5 years.

© 2019 Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

Indicator; Iran; Measurement; Province; Social health