Public health policies are decisions made by the government, through that process the problems and solutions are addressed.(Vandenberg, H. ,2011 p. 239) In this essay, I will argue that public policies shape the social determinants of health through income, income inequality and housing; which consequently affect one's overall health. Public policy is a social determinant of health because the government solidifies policies such as income which reflect upon one’s socioeconomic status which reflect one’s health. Therefore the quality of these health - shaping living conditions are strongly determined by the government's decisions (Raphael, D, 2009, p. 8). Governments at the municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal levels create policies,
