An ecological framework for population health and well-being

Social structures have become focal points in considering how to address the circumstances and conditions under which people live their lives. Yet, the many interactions among multiple factors that make up social and structural determinants are complex, interdependent, interactive, dynamic, and multilevel. This paper introduces an evidence-informed ecological framework that organizes drivers and feedback mechanisms collectively representing a generative force towards population health and well-being. The proposed ecological framework supports explanatory and exploratory considerations for prevention and management of population health and well-being issues. The framework explicitly includes a recognition that successful health and well-being outcomes are often dependent on the presence of social capital and healthy power dynamics. Dominant cultural norm is positioned as an overarching driver in this framework because it shapes the political realities and power dynamics responsible for infrastructure as well as the habits and behaviors of people at both the individual and social levels.