helseelementer

Helseelementer is a Danish term that denotes the components or factors that influence health and well-being. In Danish public health discourse, helseelementer are used to describe the set of factors that determine health outcomes at the individual and population level. The term is closely aligned with the broader concept of determinants of health, but emphasizes the actionable elements that can be targeted through policy, practice, and education.

The concept encompasses multiple domains: biological and genetic factors; lifestyle and behavior; social and economic conditions; physical and built environment; access to and quality of health services; mental health and social well-being; and governance, policy, and cultural context. Recognizing helseelementer supports holistic health strategies that combine medical care with prevention, health promotion, and social interventions.

Usage and debates: In health promotion and education materials, helseelementer are presented as an integrated framework rather than isolated risk factors. Critics note that without precise definitions or measurable indicators, the term can be too broad for practical use; in practice, it often overlaps with the established determinants of health and international health frameworks such as the social determinants of health.

See also determinants of health, health promotion, social determinants of health, health literacy.