SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY AND BIOETHICS.

The relationship between health and social determinants as a set of factors that influence the well-being, functional independence, quality of life and health of the elderly has as its agglutination the fact that it is the consequence of lifestyles, exposure to environmental factors and health care received, and is influenced by the capacity to maintain autonomy and independence. These social and health determinants can generate inequalities and vulnerabilities to be considered in the definition of health policies. The objectives of this study are to identify the relationship between the social determinants and the health of the elderly, to analyze the bioethical challenges in the relationship between the different determinants, in the light of principles such as vulnerability and equity in the care of the elderly, and to mobilize sectors of society for this debate, in order to minimize health inequities. This study is transversal, exploratory, descriptive and analytical. The sample consisted of 339 participants aged ?65 years, of both sexes, who were able to express their consent and lived in rural parishes of Vila Real, in Portugal. The descriptive analysis of the data revealed that there is an interdependence between social and health conditions. Therefore, it is important to conduct a survey and monitor non-clinical health determinants, promoting health policies that reduce inequities that generate inequality, for this is an ethical imperative. We hope to contribute to a decision making aimed at achieving health gains by supporting those responsible at local, regional and national levels.