Utrecht Health Model
The Utrecht Health Model (Utrechts gezondheidsmodel) shows the underlying factors that influence health. Some factors are closely related to the resident and directly influence health. These are the personal factors (green layer) and living conditions (blue layer) in the model. Other factors are further away from the resident and influence health indirectly because they cause differences in health opportunities. These are factors of the socio-economic position (dark blue layer) and the socio-economic and political context (purple layer).
The Utrecht health model is a combination of various theoretical models on health and health inequalities. It is based on a broad and positive approach to health, with the population of Utrecht at its core. The model is a simplified representation of a complex reality. It helps to look at health and health opportunities in a coherent way and to talk about them across various domains.
The Utrecht health model is the basis for the Public Health Monitor Utrecht (Volksgezondheidsmonitor Utrecht, VMU) and the Utrecht Health Profile (Utrechts Gezondheidsprofiel, UGP).
