Business, along with the public and non-profit sectors, has an important role to play in addressing the socio-economic determinants of health. These determinants—income, employment and working conditions, education and literacy, housing, food security, etc.—have a greater impact on health outcomes than do genetics, individual choices, and the health-care delivery system.

The Healthy People, Healthy Performance, Healthy Profits report makes the case that employers and businesses should take action on the socio-economic determinants of health because of the benefits such action will have for the health of Canadians and the positive impact it will have on the organization’s performance and profits. In addition to offering examples of successful initiatives already taken by Canadian and international firms, the report provides practical guidance and principles of success to businesses that may take action.

The report is part of the research agenda of The Conference Board of Canada’s Roundtable on Socio-Economic Determinants of Health.